Sources say 12 sectors have been identified for interaction. These include cement, steel, machine tools and plastics.

At a time, top 10 corporates will be invited. They are expected to list problems in the way of raising their contribution towards exports so that solutions could be found.

Unveiling the modified export-import (Exim) policy 1997-2002 on April 13, Hegde indicated that exports of top 500 corporates constituted an average of less than 10 per cent of their sales, and in the case ofpublic enterprises, it was less than 4 per cent. Their performance, therefore, was not satisfactory, he noted.

"I intend holding a dialogue with these enterprises to find out the constraints and difficulties in improving their export performance. It will be my endeavour to induce and assist them to achieve a minimum turnover of 20 per cent of their total sales," Hegde stated.

The proposed dialogue is in the backdrop of a dismal export growth of 2.64 per cent in 1997-88.

While the commerce ministry has set an ambitious export growth of 20 per cent in dollar terms for 1998-99, indications from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations are that export prospects should be better from June onwards.

Export deceleration started two years back, and growth recorded in 1996-97 was just 4 per cent.

The performance during 1997-98 was erratic. There was a sharp decline in the first quarter, which was somewhat reversed in the second. But there was a slowdown in the third quarter with a slight improvementnoted in February 1998. The slow growth was attributed to both domestic and international factors, besides sectoral problems and difficulties.

The export sector is one of the core areas in the country's economic growth, and is important for addressing macro-economic concerns, the ministry feels.

The performance was affected by a disappointing showing by the gems and jewellery sector