By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 3, 2017 : Odisha notched up a record 114% rise in exports during 2016-17 compared to the previous year, according to the figures released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), Kolkata, and Directorate Of Export Promotion & Marketing (DEPM), Bhubaneswar.

Odisha’s exports in 2016-17 was pegged at Rs 40,872 crore while the exports turnover was only Rs 19,082 crore in 2015-16.

The growth has been on account of increase in the value of exports of iron ore (301 per cent), bulk minerals and ores (311 per cent), residual chemical and allied products (861 per cent), iron and steel (104 per cent), aluminium and products of aluminium (72 per cent) and petroleum products, according to officials.

In 2001-02, the state registered an export turnover of a meager Rs 563 crore in 2001-02. But the value of exports from Odisha has seen a sustained rise since 2008-09

With the Inland Container Depots (ICDs) at Jharsuguda and Balasore likely to be operationalised shortly, exports from the state will get a further boost, officials hoped.

Testing laboratories by the Export Inspection Agency and Marine Products Export Development are nearing completion and are expected to be commissioned by August 2017.

Meanwhile, the state government is in the process of formulation of New Odisha Export Policy-2017.