- Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi Proposes Revival of Bhadohi Inland Container Depot
- Calls for More NABL-Certified Testing Labs and Freight Relief for Exporters Amid West Asia Crisis
New Delhi/Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi represented the state at the Board of Trade meeting chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, where key issues related to export promotion, logistics efficiency, free trade agreements, and strengthening India’s export ecosystem were discussed.
During the meeting, attended by representatives from various states, industry leaders, export promotion councils, and trade stakeholders, Minister Nandi highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable export growth and placed several important proposals aimed at accelerating exports and reducing costs for businesses, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the gathering, Nandi said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s leading export-driven states. He noted that the state’s exports have increased from approximately ₹88,000 crore to over ₹2 lakh crore, more than doubling in recent years.
The minister attributed this growth to a robust export promotion framework established by the state government. This includes a dedicated Export Promotion Bureau, the Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Council, and District Export Promotion Committees functioning across all 75 districts. He said these institutional mechanisms have enabled the state to expand its export footprint across more than 15 sectors.
Nandi further pointed out that Uttar Pradesh currently ranks first in the country with 79 Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products and has emerged as a national leader in the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which has helped promote region-specific products in domestic and international markets.
Revival of Bhadohi Inland Container Depot Proposed
One of the key proposals presented by the minister was the revival of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Madhosingh in Bhadohi. He emphasized that reopening and operationalizing the facility would significantly improve connectivity for exporters in eastern Uttar Pradesh, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate faster movement of export consignments.
According to Nandi, improved logistics infrastructure is essential for sustaining export growth and enhancing the competitiveness of products originating from the region, particularly handloom, carpet, textile, and handicraft exports for which Bhadohi is internationally renowned.
Demand for More NABL-Certified Testing Laboratories
The minister also urged the Central Government to increase the number of internationally accredited NABL-certified testing laboratories in Uttar Pradesh. He said expanding testing infrastructure would help exporters obtain quality certifications more efficiently, reduce turnaround times, and enhance compliance with international standards.
Industry stakeholders have long advocated for greater testing and certification facilities within the state to minimize dependence on laboratories located in other regions and reduce associated costs.
Relief Sought for Exporters Facing Higher Freight Costs
Highlighting challenges being faced by exporters due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Nandi noted that freight charges and transit times have risen significantly, adversely impacting export competitiveness and increasing costs for businesses.
He suggested that appropriate relief measures be considered to support exporters affected by the surge in logistics expenses. The proposal comes at a time when disruptions in global shipping routes have led to higher transportation costs and delivery delays for exporters across several sectors.
Separate HSN Codes Sought for Natural and Synthetic Mentha
The minister also raised concerns regarding the mentha industry and requested separate Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes for natural and synthetic mentha products. He argued that distinct classification would help protect the natural mentha industry, improve product traceability, and ensure better market recognition for naturally produced mentha products.
Uttar Pradesh is one of the country’s leading producers of natural mentha and mint-based products, making the issue particularly significant for farmers and exporters associated with the sector.
Focus on Strengthening India’s Export Ecosystem
The Board of Trade meeting featured extensive discussions on leveraging free trade agreements, reducing logistics costs, enhancing export competitiveness, and creating a more resilient export ecosystem. Participants exchanged views on policy reforms and strategies needed to support India’s ambitions of expanding its global trade footprint.
The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, senior representatives from various state governments, industry bodies, export promotion councils, and leading business organizations.
Among the prominent industry participants was Jasbir Singh, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amber Enterprises India Limited, along with other stakeholders from the trade and industrial sectors.
Officials said the proposals put forward by Uttar Pradesh reflect the state’s continued focus on improving export infrastructure, strengthening global market access, and creating a business-friendly ecosystem that supports exporters, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs. With exports already crossing the ₹2 lakh crore mark, the state is aiming to further consolidate its position as one of India’s fastest-growing export hubs through targeted policy interventions and infrastructure development.
