Districts as Export Hub Initiative

Table of Contents

About Districts as Export Hub (DEH)

Aim: To link local producers in rural and remote districts with global supply chains, and bring them into the economic mainstream.
District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) is formed which is responsible for preparing a district export action plan.
Objective: Mobilizing the potential of each district of the country and to achieve its potential as an export hub.
- To enable MSMEs, farmers and small industries to get benefit of export opportunities in the overseas markets.
- To shift focus on District led Export Growth for self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
- Provide ecosystem for Innovation/use of Technology at District level to make them export competitive.
- Reduce transaction cost for the exporter at various stages of export cycle.
- Handholding and assistance to exporters by doorstep delivery of timely and relevant information.
- To generate employment in the Districts.
- Providing platforms for wide and global reach of products and services from the district through E-commerce and Digital marketing.
- Promoting Artisans, Farmers, Handicraft, Handloom, tourism and other cottage industries.
District as Export Hub Initiative strives to achieve the objectives of Agriculture Export Policy.
- Under it, products including agricultural products with export potential have been identified in all 733 districts across the country.

About: It is a transformational step to realize the potential of a district, fuel economic growth, generate employment and rural entrepreneurship and move towards the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Aim: Fostering balanced regional development across all districts of the country, enabling holistic socio-economic growth across all regions.
Objective: To focus on district of the country as unit for converting into a manufacturing and export hub by identifying products with export potential in the district,
Districts Export Action Plans: It include specific actions required to support local exporters or manufacturers in producing or manufacturing identified products in adequate quantity and with the requisite quality, for reaching potential buyers outside India, thereby creating economic value.
ODOP initiative is identified for the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in Holistic Development through One District One Product (ODOP) category in April, 2022.

Local government bodies should be involved in the implementation of the district export action plan.
Role of financial institutions: Creating a portal with financial institutions such as the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development and the Small Industries Development Bank of India to easily provide credit to traders and manufacturers.
improving financial literacy of farmers and manufacturers in identified DEHs.
Building capacity of the MSME sector: Converging MSME schemes such as the MSME Champions Scheme and the NiryatBandhu Scheme, and harmonising them with DEH initiatives to promote the sector.
Role of e-commerce and digital platforms: E-commerce will allow tier-II and tier-III manufacturers to be a part of global marketing platforms. The Committee recommended adopting a digitally informed export policy to improve export competitiveness.
Strengthening infrastructure: Regular monitoring of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Project and exploring commercial utilisation of unused defence air strips for exporting perishable goods.
Using geo-spatial services: Creating a common digital platform with a geo-map to act as a database on DEH and ODOP. It would allow data sharing and provide information on the availability and quality of products in the districts.

Agriculture Export Policy in 2018
- To diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high-value and value-added agricultural exports including focus on perishables.
- To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional agri products exports.
- To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
- To strive to double India’s share in world agri exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest.
- To enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- It is an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, has the mandate to promote exports of agricultural and processed food products.
- APEDA has been providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its Export Promotion Scheme.
Department of Commerce: It provides financial assistance to promote exports, including exports of agricultural products through Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, Export Promotion Schemes of APEDA and Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) etc.
Farmer Connect Portal: For providing a platform for farmers, Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives to interact with exporters.