Nearly 100 Districts To Be Developed As Export Hubs: Centre

The Central government will identify nearly 100 districts nationwide and develop them into export hubs using a "bottom-up approach", Director General of Foreign Trade Santosh Kumar Sarangi announced on Friday (31 March).

Sarangi said that the idea behind the initiative is to involve more youngsters at the district level, such as collectors, so that they view export boosting as a core rather than peripheral function.

Phase one of the initiative includes 75-100 districts and may expand in the next step.

Sarangi stated that the export programme includes both goods and services, covering various products and services, distinguishing it from the One District One Product initiative.

The DG Foreign Trade also said that the newly announced Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 will provide policy continuity and a responsive framework.

The FTP has also introduced an amnesty scheme for one-time settlement of default in export obligation by Advance Authorisation and EPCG authorisation holders.

The policy also seeks to encourage e-commerce exports which is expected to grow to $200-300 billion by 2023.