Indian Economy News

Government Expands DEH Initiative to Boost District-Level Export Competitiveness

The Government of India has expanded the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to strengthen district-level export competitiveness and promote balanced regional development. Institutional mechanisms, including State Export Promotion Committees (SEPCs) and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs), have been established across all 36 States and Union Territories to streamline export promotion efforts. Draft District Export Action Plans (DEAPs) have been prepared for 590 districts, of which 249 have already been notified, reflecting steady progress in decentralising export planning. The initiative has identified products and services with export potential in every district, spanning sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, handicrafts, and GI-tagged goods. Examples include bananas and brinjal from Jalgaon, ceramics and tiles from Aravalli (Gujarat), and rice, mango, and iron crafts from Chhattisgarh, showcasing India’s diverse export basket.

The DEH initiative adopts a district-driven approach to empower MSMEs, farmers, and local manufacturers by connecting them to global markets and enhancing their export capabilities. It focuses on building awareness, addressing bottlenecks, and facilitating market linkages through outreach activities and digital platforms such as Niryat and DGCI&S portals. By identifying district-specific strengths and enabling targeted interventions, the initiative aims to create new exporters, expand market access, and boost manufacturing and services at the local level. This decentralised strategy aligns with India’s vision of self-reliance by transforming districts into growth engines of exports, thereby strengthening the country’s overall trade ecosystem and global competitiveness.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.