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India identifies thrust nations to boost tea exports

NEW DELHI: Seeking to give a major thrust to tea exports and capturing a major share of the world market, India has identified Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Egypt as the “thrust nations” to give shape to its plans.

As a follow up of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and India during the November 1 visit of Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, a high-level delegation headed by Additional Secretary (Commerce Ministry) is leaving for Iran on Friday to break new ground and more than double tea exports to that nation.

The delegation also comprises the Tea Board Chairman, Basudeb Banerjee, and seven representatives of the tea industry.

Giving this information here, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said at present Iran imported nearly 70-80 million kg of tea every year. India’s tea exports to Iran stood at 11 million kg in 2007 and the aim is to increase this to nearly 25-30 million kg in the next three to four years. In recent years, India has conceded a large chunk of its export share to Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Kenya. “We have identified Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Pakistan for giving major thrust to tea exports. Pakistan has been put on hold in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks. But we are going to join hands with Egypt in the near future and also explore new avenues in Iraq,” he added.

Mr. Jairam Ramesh said the delegation would take up the issue of registration of India exporters and issuing of export licence, difficulties faced due to imposition of Iranian health related conditions by the Iranian Health Ministry and issuing of an importing hygiene licence for three years.

Iran had already assured India that after due registration of Indian exporters, no consignee would be blocked at the customs and sample would be checked in random.

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