Commerce Minister Anand Sharma today called on the the Captains of the Industry to work hand in hand with the government to achieve higher economic growth.

Speaking at a post Foreign Trade Policy interaction, the Commerce minister said, the country is on course to double trade by 2014. Mr. Sharma said, India played a vital role in the assisting the global economic recovery process, but never moved in to negative growth territory due to its strong macro economic fundamentals.

He said, the challenges being faced due to the ripple effect of the global economic crisis have to be addressed comprehensively.

The minister said, in a highly interconnected world the Indian economy cannot expect to grow in isolation. He said, India have been engaged in Market diversification in the extended neighbourhood, South Asia, the ASEAN countries and also working towards larger integration of the Asian economy.

Mr. Sharma said, Economic engagement is the only option for prosperity and peace and India's initiatives in this regard were well received by Pakistan as well. He said, for the economy to grow, an environment encouraging investments should prevail.

Mr. Sharma said, the Indian economy is driven by domestic demand, domestic consumption and demand for exports. He said, the National Manufacturing Policy unleashed by the government envisages to make India a Manufacturing hub.

In reply to a question Mr. Sharma said, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax is in an advanced stage and would soon be a reality.

Terming GST as the biggest reform the country can move forward on, the Minister said, the Centre government is very on keen on GST and working with the States to implement it. He also said, the negative list will be small.