Minister stresses on identifying new export markets to counter US tariffs

THE Kerala government will include recommendations of the captains of the state's industrial sector while submitting a detailed memorandum to the Centre on measures to fend off setbacks from the American decision to impose 50% duty on imports from India, Industries Minister P Rajeeve said on Monday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kochi

At a meeting convened here by the industries department with representatives of the export-oriented segment of the sector, the minister said the crisis is likely to affect Kerala's economy even though the state accounts for just 1% of the country's exports to the US.

"True, the state has limitations on what we can do in this regard, but we want to work by understanding the needs of the export-oriented industry sector," he said, extending the government's "promise to do everything" within its limits.

"This situation is a clear example of the failure of globalization," said Rajeeve, who is also in charge of law and coir. "We can overcome the crisis if we stand together."