Uttar Pradesh became the first state to set up its own Export Promotion Council. This was launched at the U.P MSME event held on March 14 at New Delhi. The event organized by Export Promotion Bureau was inaugurated by Nitin Agarwal, State Minister (Independent Charge) for MSME & Export Promotion. The aim of the council is to provide infrastructure facilities to enable and empower growth and development of exports.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh has been at the forefront of instituting innovative initiatives, and it is expected that setting up its own export promotion council will go a long way in meeting the growth and development agenda of the state. Exports from U.P have doubled to Rs.85000 cr. In the last 4 years.

The Minister inaugurated the projects of setting up of six additional display halls in UP Expo Mart, Noida and India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida. It will facilitate craftsmen/exporters display and co-market their products.

Among the products on display at the event were Metal Handicraft, Menthol and Allied Products, Carpets, Glass ware, Wooden Toys, Meenakari, Baranasi Saree/Dress material, Handicraft products of lac, Handicraft, Patch, Ladies Items, Wooden Handicraft, Zari items, Christmas Decoration items, Bans Baint Decoration Items, Home Furnishing, Solar Related Products, Holograph Self printed labels, Fashion Garments, Pottery, Hotelware, Stone Handicrafts, Sports Goods, Paper Cone, Builder Hardware, Leather Craft, artificial jewelry.

A ‘Geographical Indication’ seminar was held to create awareness among entrepreneurs and exporters on the commercial benefits of geographically specific products (GI) registration in the State’s specific geographical regions.

Special guest Rajneesh Dube, Principal Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Export Promotion Department, UP, discussed the steps being taken by the State government to create entrepreneurship and export promotional environment. Entrepreneurs and exporters were acquainted with the export promotion activities of the newly formed council.

Janeshwar Mishra State Export Awards were presented in recognition of the exemplary performance by exporters from the state. Under different categories, 14 export units were given first prizes and eight units got the second prize.

The Minister said that in 2016-17, Uttar Pradesh government would also start pension schemes for artisans of handicrafts. The Minister said that the State government would take all the steps for industrial development.