- If there is a need for policy changes to increase trade, that will also be done: Minister Shri Kashyap
- If industry and government work together, export target of Rs 1 lakh crore is possible in one year: Chief Secretary Shri Barnwal
- More than 800 exporters and entrepreneurs registered in Madhya Pradesh Export and FTA Conclave 2026
Madhya Pradesh Export and FTA Conclave 2026 was organized at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Center on Thursday in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, Government of India . The Conclave was organized by the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion , Department of Micro , Small and Medium Enterprises and Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation in collaboration with Directorate General of Foreign Trade and India Trade Promotion Organization. More than 800 exporters and entrepreneurs of the state participated in the Conclave. Technical session , inaugural session , three panel discussions , two presentations and fireside discussion were held at the end of the Conclave. 14 stalls of 7 government organizations and ODOP and GI products of the state were set up in the premises.
Minister of Micro , Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Chaitanya Kumar Kashyap, stated that MSMEs account for nearly half of the country’s total exports. Rising electricity , labor, and infrastructure costs in China have created significant opportunities for manufacturers in India and Madhya Pradesh in the global market . To capitalize on this, entrepreneurs should increase production scale and capacity , thereby reducing unit costs. He added that agreements with the UK and the European Union require a high Indian content for apparel to achieve zero duty. The PM Mitra Park, which will be a complete facility from fiber to spinning and weaving, will benefit the state’s apparel exporters. Minister Mr. Kashyap urged industry organizations to explore the export potential of each industry and bring it to the government’s attention . He assured that the state government will implement policy changes needed to boost business for any industry, large or small .
Chief Secretary Shri Ashok Barnwal advised industry on how to take advantage of trade agreements. He stated that the government opens up markets through agreements , that access to buyers is determined by quality and price , and that agreements give exporters an edge over competitors. He outlined three steps for industry organizations to achieve the ₹1 lakh crore target: first , select at least five products in their region with the greatest export potential ; second , identify the most promising markets for these products in FTA partner countries ; and third , identify units that can export to this level. Chief Secretary Shri Barnwal stated that if industry and the government work together , the ₹1 lakh crore export target set by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav can be achieved in a year. Regarding the problems faced by the pharmaceutical industry, he informed that approval for adding a product to a pharmaceutical license upon receiving an export order will no longer take more than two days . He directed the Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation to establish a regular dialogue platform with industry organizations.
Minister Mr. Kashyap and Chief Secretary Mr. Barnwal launched five initiatives for exporters at the conclave. The Madhya Pradesh FTA Action Plan 2026-27 includes 31 action points under seven objectives. The FTA Handbook for Exporters contains agreement benefits , rules of origin, and contact information for each product. Exporters can ask questions at the FTA Helpdesk on 0755-2577145 and export.investment@mpidc.co.in . On the FTA module of the MP Trade Portal, exporters can select their product and view the tariffs applicable under each agreement. The FTA Accelerator will support 80 export units across four sectors, from selecting the right agreement , certification and pricing, to meeting with foreign buyers.
The first panel discussion on “Practical Use of FTAs” was moderated by Mr. Ravi K. Tiwari, CEO, IM Global. Experts from India Trade Promotion Organisation , ICRIER , Chintan Research Foundation , Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Hind Pharma provided information on the process of an export consignment from the factory to the overseas buyer, including HS codes , rules of origin , certificates of origin and buyer standards. The conclave explained that duty exemptions are available only when claimed by the buyer , and exporters have to maintain records of origin for years.
The second panel discussion, titled “Industry and Export Targets in Madhya Pradesh,” was moderated by Mr. Shreyaskar Choudhary, Managing Director of Pratibha Syntex. Representatives from LT Foods , VE Commercial Vehicles , Shreeji Polymers , Flexituff Ventures, and Sarva Foam discussed which markets they would expand their exports to through trade agreements and the government’s support for this.
The third panel discussion on “Role of Government Institutions” was moderated by Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade. Representatives from ECGC , Exim Bank , Concor , India Post and Apparel Export Promotion Council provided information on export credit , export insurance , rail freight transport , postal exports and Council assistance, and answered industry queries. Mr. Sharma also gave a presentation on the Centre’s Export Promotion Mission and introduced the Trade Connect portal.
Secretary of Micro , Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. John Kingsley, stated that information asymmetry in trade is a major challenge facing small exporters: small entrepreneurs often don’t know the tariffs on their products in which markets and how to take advantage of the agreements. The helpdesk , portal, and accelerator launched at the conclave are aimed at addressing this shortcoming , and the department will work to reach the target within the one-year period outlined by the Chief Secretary. Mr. Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce , Government of India, suggested that such events be held in other divisions and districts of the state. Mr. Chandramouli Shukla, MD, MPIDC, was also present at the conclave.