Government concerned with US protectionist move

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma who was in the city on Friday, said, “Protectionist measures are counter productive.” He further added, “We have already conveyed a serious concern to the US in a communication.”

The Indian IT indstry has made a notable contribution, which was also acknowledged by Sharma. Indian BPO sector is not only generating jobs for Indians; but in many other countries today more than 90 per cent of the locals are getting jobs in the sector, he said.

The issue of placing a ban on outsourcing which is a booming sector in the country has concerned many people, from professionals and decision makers. “Industry going for outsourcing; these are business decisions made by not people sitting in India, who decide that work should be outsourced,” mentioned Sharma. He said that owing to the financial crisis since September 2008, followed by the economic downturn, there was a tendency which has reflected in the policies of the governments to look inwards, which has led countries to adopt prtectionist measures. He added, “In a globalised world, Policy and decision makers must have a global view on matters.”

Sharma, who would be co-chairing the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in Washington on September 21, with US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, said, “We have already flagged this to the US... We intend to place the issue on the table for discussion.” In an earlier event, he flagged off the implementation of the Coffee Debt Relief Package, 2010. The Centre had conveyed the approval for the package for the debt ridden small coffee growers, with a total financial implication of Rs 241.33 crore.