How Goyal plans to take trade support to districts

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced a plan on Tuesday to train around 1,000 individuals in regional languages to provide support to exporters, both existing and prospective, at both the district and state levels. Speaking at an industry stakeholders meeting, Goyal stated that instead of creating separate offices for each department in every location, integrated commerce and industry offices would be established in major cities.

This would serve as a centralized point of access for businesses dealing with multiple departments and agencies.

The minister also unveiled a network of approximately 1,000 trained local personnel, proficient in regional languages, who would be deployed to offer guidance to businesses. These personnel would work alongside industry chambers and regional associations to provide assistance.

A dedicated session focused on recent Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and trade facilitation reforms was held, providing industry representatives with an overview of the opportunities and obligations arising from India's trade agreements. Industry representatives emphasized the need for better interoperability between government systems and foreign trade platforms, along with considerations for extending electronic processes to other FTA partners.

They also highlighted the necessity for further integration of the export cycle, involving the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Customs, banks, and other stakeholders.

Concerns were raised regarding logistics and trade-process challenges, including documentation backlogs and issues related to sea freight costs. During the discussion, Suryansh Jalan, Chief Business Officer at FarEye, pointed out that while India's free trade agreements can open markets, export growth depends on the ability of Indian manufacturers to offer competitive delivered prices, reliable delivery dates, and a straightforward returns process.

The commerce ministry's next policy should aim to help MSMEs build this capability, according to Jalan.

Jalan suggested that focusing on the National Logistics Policy, PM GatiShakti, and the Unified Logistics Payments System (ULIP), the priority should be to connect shipment consolidation in India, simplify customs procedures, establish shared overseas warehousing, and ensure dependable last-mile delivery. Digital platforms could assist exporters in understanding FTA eligibility and rules, estimating landed costs, validating documentation, and tracking orders across partners.

Artificial intelligence could enhance better routing, inventory placement, and prompt responses to disruptions. Jalan also stressed that shared infrastructure could provide smaller exporters with access to logistics capabilities typically available to larger enterprises. The success should be measured by lower costs, predictable deliveries, and repeat overseas orders, as this would ensure lasting demand for Indian products.