India is intensifying its efforts to expand exports and strengthen its position in global markets through closer coordination between the Centre, states, and industry. At a recent Board of Trade meeting, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called upon states and Union Territories to make full use of the BHAVYA scheme while placing exports at the heart of their economic development strategies.

Addressing representatives from state governments, export promotion bodies, and industry stakeholders, the minister outlined a comprehensive seven-point action agenda aimed at accelerating India’s export growth, improving competitiveness, and creating new opportunities for businesses across the country.

A key announcement was the launch of a 90-day export acceleration drive that will focus on 120 priority districts across 27 States and Union Territories under the government’s Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative. The programme seeks to identify district-specific products and services with export potential while strengthening local industries, supply chains, and market access.

The initiative reflects India’s strategy of transforming districts into engines of export-led growth. Instead of concentrating exports in a limited number of industrial clusters, the government aims to encourage every region to leverage its unique strengths, whether in agriculture, handicrafts, textiles, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, food processing, or emerging manufacturing sectors.

During the meeting, Goyal stressed that state governments play a crucial role in creating an export-friendly ecosystem. He encouraged them to streamline administrative processes, improve logistics, strengthen infrastructure, facilitate skill development, and support businesses in meeting international quality standards. Enhanced collaboration between the Centre and states, he noted, will be essential for achieving higher export targets.

The BHAVYA scheme is expected to serve as an important instrument in this effort by supporting exporters and helping states improve trade facilitation. Effective implementation of the scheme can enhance business efficiency, reduce procedural hurdles, and improve the competitiveness of Indian products in overseas markets.

The minister’s seven-point agenda reportedly focuses on strengthening export infrastructure, promoting district-level products, improving ease of doing business, encouraging value addition, expanding market access, enhancing coordination between stakeholders, and supporting innovation and quality improvement. Together, these measures are intended to create a more resilient and diversified export ecosystem.

The Districts as Export Hubs initiative has emerged as one of India’s flagship trade promotion programmes. By identifying products that possess geographical, cultural, or industrial significance, the initiative encourages local enterprises to integrate into global value chains. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), artisans, farmers, and manufacturers stand to benefit through improved branding, certification, logistics, and international marketing support.

Export growth remains a critical pillar of India’s broader economic strategy. Expanding overseas trade contributes to industrial production, employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, technology adoption, and regional development. As global supply chains continue to evolve, India is seeking to position itself as a reliable manufacturing and export destination for a wide range of products and services.

Industry representatives participating in the Board of Trade meeting also discussed opportunities to improve competitiveness through digitalisation, infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and closer engagement with global markets. Strengthening partnerships between government agencies and the private sector is expected to play a major role in achieving sustained export growth.

The proposed 90-day campaign is likely to include targeted outreach programmes, capacity-building initiatives, exporter awareness sessions, and coordinated efforts among district administrations, export promotion councils, and state authorities. These activities aim to identify bottlenecks while helping businesses access new international opportunities.

As India continues pursuing its long-term vision of becoming a leading global trading nation, initiatives such as the BHAVYA scheme and the Districts as Export Hubs programme demonstrate a growing emphasis on inclusive, region-based export development. By empowering districts, supporting local industries, and encouraging stronger state participation, the government hopes to build a more diversified, competitive, and resilient export economy capable of driving sustainable growth in the years ahead.