New Delhi: Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda has congratulated the chemicals and petrochemicals industry on becoming the top exporting sector of the country for the first time. The minister has assured them full support towards making India a leading global hub for manufacturing chemicals and petrochemicals supply quality chemicals to the world. The news came at a time when almost every kind of industrial output has been fully or partially affected due to nationwide lockdown.

Referring to the important role played by the Department in this achievement, Gowda said in a series of tweets, ''Continuous efforts made by my Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals have enabled the industry to become the topmost exporting segment for the first time."

He also informed that during April 2019 to January 2020, the export of chemicals grew by 7.43 percent over the previous corresponding period. Total export of chemicals during this period reached Rs 2.68 lakh crore. This constitutes 14.35 percent of the total exports.

Earlier, on Friday Gowda has appreciated IFFCO for its outstanding support to the nation's fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19).