There is plenty of good news in the coir industry. Coir exports from the country have already exceeded the target in 2005-06 and have also registered an increase of 11% in quantity and 7% in value over the previous year.

Exports had touched an all time high level of 1,36,027 tonnes in volume and Rs 508.45 crore in value against the target of Rs 490 crore set for the year 2005-06. During 2004-05, exports were of the order of 1,22,927 tonnes at Rs 473.40 crore. So the Coir Board has set an export target of Rs 560 crore in the current fiscal.

At present, coir and its products are exported to more than 80 countries and the US is the single largest market with a share of more than 40 per cent in the total export. European countries together share more than 41 per cent of the exports. Not only that the Coir Board have also participated in 11 international trade fairs and exhibitions during 2005-06 and displayed the range of products available for exports from India.

Recently, the Export Market Development Assistance Scheme of the Board had been modified to encourage more small exporters with an export turnover of less than Rs 2 crore to undertake promotional measures like participation in exhibition, study tour, buyer seller meet etc. Apart from this, the Board has been taking number of steps for promoting the consumption of coir and coir products in the domestic market. With a view to making coir products more accessible to the consumer public, the Board proposes to engage Market Promotional Agencies attached to its 31 showrooms and sales depots all over the country.

In the context of dwindling export market for handloom coir products and to make Coir Board Power Loom Factory - Hindustan Coir, a profit making organisation, restructuring of it including marketing of products manufactured by small scale producers and coir co-operatives through sales outlets of the Coir Board also is under contemplation. It is also proposed to engage commission agents for promoting the sales of Hindustan Coir matting.

With a view to encouraging the sale of coir and coir products through the outlets of co-operative societies and the PSU's, the Coir Board has been granting Market Development Assistance (MDA). During 2005-06, an amount of Rs 170 lakh was disbursed by way of central share of MDA to various state governments.

The Board has also decided to implement an Inplant Inspection Scheme in order to keep up the quality standards of coir products with the active participation of all concerned.