West Bengal expects its exports to touch Rs 75,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore by 2019-20, a Minister said on Friday.

According to State Finance and Commerce Minister, Amit Mitra, Bengal's export turnover grew to Rs 53,649 crore in 2016-17 against Rs 47,857 crore in 2015-16.

"The growth has been over 10.49 percent. At a compounded annual rate of growth over the three years, I am hoping by 2019-20, the exports turnover to be over Rs 75,000 crore," Mitra said at an exports excellence awards ceremony organized by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations Eastern Region here on Thursday evening.

Mitra said micro, small and medium enterprises relating to exports of textiles, gems, and jewelry, leather, and foundry provided as many as 17.70 lakh employment in the state during the last fiscal.

He pointed out that gems and jewelry, leather, iron and steel and many others sectors, including ten exports items, were contributing over 63 percent share in state's exports.

The state provides exports opportunities, not only in neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, but also strategic markets in Asian countries, he said.

-IANS