Shillong, Feb 3 (IANS) Assam’s world famous tea and Meghalaya’s coal have elevated the two states as leaders in EXIM (export-import) trade in the northeast during 2010-11, says a customs official.
Assam’s exported goods, which constituted tea, were worth Rs.476.59 crore while its imports were Rs.34.55 crore during 2010-11.
Assam was followed by Meghalaya among the northeast states with total exports worth Rs.383.95 crore and imports at only Rs.9.45 crore during 2010-11.
“Over 88.16 percent of exports came from two items, tea and coal while other exports included primary products like boulder-stone, limestone, and fruits,” said Donlad D Ingty, chief commissioner of customs, central excise and service tax, northeast region.
However, manufactured goods in the export basket were negligible. During 2010-11, total exports from the region were worth around Rs.861.14 crore.
On the other hand, 90 percent of imported items to the region included cement and other manufactured products such as waste of wool and cotton, non-knitted articles of synthetic fabric, mosquito net and PVC plastic sheets.
Total imports were worth Rs.300.93 crore during 2010-11. The total EXIM trade in the region crossed the Rs.1,000-crore mark till December 2011.
EXIM trade was carried out in the region through the Land Customs Stations (LCSs), airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in the respective states and connecting to foreign countries.
