Districts as Export Hubs Initiative Covers Over 770 Districts Across India
- IBEF
- September 3, 2026
The Government is strengthening its district-led export strategy through the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative, which aims to identify products and services with global potential and connect local producers with international markets. Building on the One District One Product (ODOP) approach, the initiative expands its focus towards developing a comprehensive district-level export ecosystem covering market access, infrastructure, logistics and export competitiveness. India’s total exports of goods and services reached an all-time high of Rs. 71.36 lakh crore (US$ 825.25 billion) in FY25 and are estimated to have increased to Rs. 76.27 lakh crore (US$ 863.08 billion) in FY26. As of January 2026, the initiative covered more than 770 districts across India. The framework operates through coordination between the Centre, States and districts, with the Department of Commerce providing policy direction, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) anchoring implementation and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) identifying local export opportunities and addressing district-specific challenges.
A key component of the initiative is the preparation of District Export Action Plans (DEAPs), which identify products and services with export potential and assess infrastructure, logistics and market-access requirements. As of March 2026, draft DEAPs had been prepared for 590 districts, with 249 formally adopted by the respective DEPCs. The initiative also focuses on improving export readiness among local enterprises through support for quality standards, testing, packaging, branding and certification, while digital and logistics platforms are being leveraged to provide MSMEs with improved access to global markets. District-specific products ranging from Bastar’s iron craft and Jalgaon’s bananas to Meghalaya’s Mandarin oranges are being promoted under the broader framework. From June 1, 2026, the Government adopted a phased and outcome-oriented implementation approach covering districts across 27 States and Union Territories, with the initiative expected to unlock export potential beyond established industrial and port centres and strengthen local manufacturing, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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