Over the last few years, Odisha has seen substantial growth in the export sector, according to the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S). Apart from minerals, metallurgical products and software, which are the major export items from the state, Odisha has huge potential in handloom, textiles, handicrafts and agriculture products, sources said.

Applique works, pattachitra art, wood carvings and coir crafts have much in demand in countries such as Australia, UK and USA. "We have been exporting handicrafts to different countries for several years. The export amount varies from year to year, but on an average, we export products up to Rs 10 lakh to 12 lakh a year," said marketing manager of Odisha Rural and Urban Producers' Association (ORUPA), Ashok Sahu.

Odisha's handloom and textiles are also much in demand abroad. In the past year, Boyanika has sold handlooms worth Rs 4.32 lakh in countries such as US, UK, France, Japan, Canada and Australia.

"We have been exploring more export options and newer markets for handlooms. The response is encouraging," said state textiles and handlooms director S K Habada.

According to DGCI&S figures, in 2008-09, the state had exported various items to the tune of Rs 15,411.11 crore, in 2009-10 the export amount was Rs 15,324.36 crore, in 2010-11 total export was worth Rs 31,847.87 crore, in 2011-12 it was Rs 16,683 crore and in 2012-13 it has gone up to Rs 17,378.49 crore.

"Odisha certainly has huge potential in exports, especially in the micro, small, medium enterprises (MSME) sector. The government has been working on an export policy, which will boost overseas sales," said secretary, MSME department, Panchanan Das. The government has plans to increase exports to Rs 29,693 crore in 10 years registering a growth rate of 10 per cent, he said.

However, the data given by the DGIC&S, a central government organization for collection, compilation and dissemination of India's trade statistics and commercial information, varies from the data given by the state government.

According to state government data, exports at Rs 11,448 crore in 2012-13 was a significant drop of over 29 per cent compared to Rs 16,207 crore in 2011-12.

There are about 29 export house status holder units, and 15 are 100 per cent export oriented units operating in Odisha.

* Major export items- minerals, metals, software and marine products

* Potential in export-handloom, textiles, handicraft, agriculture and tourism products

* State export policy on the anvil

* steps taken for infrastructural facilities like rail & road network, sea ports, air ports and inland container depots

Year export in crore

2008-09 Rs15411.42

2009-10 Rs 15324.36

2010-11 Rs31847.87

2011-12 Rs16683.14

2012-13 Rs17378.49

Source:- indiatimes.com