What are Districts as Export Hubs?

What are Districts as Export Hubs? What is DGFT's role in this initiative?

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India understands that for it to become a leader in exports it requires the active understanding and backing of the states. For foreign trade to go beyond 45% of the country’s gross domestic product which it constitutes today, India needs to focus on promoting its exports. And for the country to get onto this high growth trajectory requires an environment that is supportive of the conduct of foreign trade. It is the states which hold the key to creating such an environment through infrastructure and facilitation which will help support and sustain a higher growth rate.?

In his Independence Day Speech in 2019, the honourable Prime Minister spoke of turning every district into an export hub. It is with districts becoming exporters of various goods and services produced and manufactured locally that the States can become partners in progress.The increase in economic activity will ensure that as production goes up, exports willrise, economic activity is generated, and the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local and Make-in-India can be met.

To turn PM Modi’s call into reality, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Department of Commerce, has started engaging with the State and UT Governments to achieve the goal of developing Districts as Export Hubs.

WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT?

India’s emphasis on grassroots export promotion from the district level is the first such move by the government in achieving export targets, boosting manufacturing, and generating employment.?Districts as Export Hubsput the States and its districts into focus making them accountable for the local exports. This gives the rural hinterland, far-flung regions, and small towns the opportunity to shine. Starting September 2020, district-wise baseline data is being maintained to monitor the local export performance. Over the next 3-5 years, the Government is looking at a double-digit export growth from 500 districts.

WAY FORWARD

The DEPCs have notified district-wise District Export Action Plans which provides the framework for the States and Districts to translate this vision into action on-ground, which is tangible and gets required support from the Department of Commerce and DGFT. The Government has launched a ‘Developing Districts as Export Hubs’ Portal to monitor the progress. A database of all potential exporters in each District will be developed and an interface with the Indian Missions abroad will be built to provide them access to exporters in each District for them to market it outsideIndiaandfindpotentialbuyers by showcasing their products. An Export Ranking Index of different districts in a particular State or UT will be created besides launching a mobile App for district export-related information.

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