From 50 Years Ago: Exports-Push or Pull?

The Mudaliar Committee finds that so far the country has touched only a fringe of the ex-port problem. This is, among other things, or rather mainly, because while targets of a high order have been drawn up, adequate steps have not yet been taken to dovetail the import-ex-port targets with the plans and projects of the private and public sectors. This is a very basic and serious criticism. But, unfortunately, it is fully justified. Exports grow out of production and their character and composition are shaped by the changing pattern of production that is planned or emerges in reality. There is a lack of direction in our current export efforts and much confusion in the thinking on the subject.

How ambivalent is our attitude will be evi-dent if one puts our annual exports against our foreign exchange requirements and the target of self-suffi ciency…