Export not confined to SEZs, flourish from districts too: FM Sitharaman

Business Economy

Posted by AI on 2025-06-24 17:30:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-27 07:55:00

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has debunked the notion that exporting goods and services is limited to special economic zones (SEZs), saying that facilities provided to SEZ units can now be availed by exporters in coastal and inland districts.

Speaking at the Exim Bank Trade Conclave 2022, Sitharaman said that despite the pandemic, exports had risen in value and volume and that India has every chance to become an exporting superpower.

She acknowledged that Indian exports depend heavily on a handful of countries, and the aim is to diversify our markets through proactive engagement with more nations, and deepen existing markets through new products.

She also outlined the dominance of certain provinces in exporting, citing Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka, all of which have SEZs and are coastal states. However, inland regions and states also have a lot of potential that needs tapping. Mentioning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, Sitharaman said that they have great potential and that the government is committed to enhancing their export infrastructure, including even developing coastal ports and inland water transport.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the export target for 2022 is $670 billion, and Sitharaman believes that goal is achievable.

At the end of the session, she called upon all exporters to make the most of the opportunities presented and to confidently pursue expansion into newer markets.

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