Jammu &Kashmir has emerged among
top performers, reaching 3rd position among UT’s in Second Edition of Export
Preparedness Index 2021 by Niti Aayog. Its scores have increased from 12.27 to
30.07. Overall ranking of J&K has improved from rank 36 to rank 23.
Department
of Industries and Commerce through Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion
Organisation (JKTPO- nodal agency for export promotion) has strived towards
improving its performance in all EPI parameters. Department of I&C has
created a overall export friendly environment by enabling export friendly
policies due to which J&K has performed exceptionally well on the policy
pillar front. JKTPO has provided various market connects to exporters through
BSM, Capacity Building Workshops, Trade fairs, exhibitions, etc. and
Finalisation of ODOP products, District export plans under District as export
hub etc.
The
Export Preparedness Index is a data-driven endeavour to identify the
fundamental areas critical for subnational export promotion. The EPI ranks
states and UTs on 4 main pillars i.e. Policy; Business Ecosystem; Export
Ecosystem; Export Performance and on 11 sub-pillars i.e. Export Promotion
Policy; Institutional Framework; Business Environment; Infrastructure;
Transport Connectivity; Access to Finance; Export Infrastructure; Trade
Support; R&D Infrastructure; Export Diversification; Growth Orientation.
The EPI’s primary goal is to instil competition among all Indian states
(‘Coastal’, ‘Landlocked’, ‘Himalayan’, and ‘UTs/City-States’) to bring about
favourable export-promotion policies, ease the regulatory framework to prompt
subnational export promotion, create the necessary infrastructure for exports,
and assist in identifying strategic recommendations for improving export
competitiveness. It promotes competitive federalism and a fair contest among
States/UTs.
EPI
2021 brings out three major challenges to India’s export promotion. These are
intra- and inter-regional differences in export infrastructure; weak trade
support and growth orientation across states; and lack of R&D
infrastructure to promote complex and unique exports.
The
index was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar, in the presence
of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Department of Commerce Secretary BVR
Subrahmanyam, and other dignitaries.