FM soothes export sector, promises to be 'kind'

New Delhi: The Government will provide relief to exporters adversely hit by appreciation of the rupee against the dollar, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.

"Merchandise exports have been hit due to rupee appreciation. The target of $160 billion of exports for 2007-08 has just fallen short," the minister told the Lok Sabha while presenting the National Budget for 2008-09.

"The government is sensitive to the sector and will continue to be sympathetic," he said.