Commerce Ministry considers local exporter-support network
A proposed network of about 1,000 trained local personnel would support exporters at district and state level alongside integrated government offices.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade held a workshop with business groups on approvals, trade agreements and ongoing reforms. The Commerce Minister described integrated Commerce and Industry offices in major cities as a proposed common access point for government services.
He also proposed a network of about 1,000 trained local personnel to assist existing and prospective exporters at district and state level. A Trade Connect platform under development is intended to provide product and tariff information, trade-agreement opportunities and procedural guidance.
Why it matters
Smaller firms can struggle to identify applicable rules, destination-market requirements and the government office responsible for a problem. Local guidance could reduce those navigation costs if it connects businesses to working services.
SCULTRA point of view
The proposal should be evaluated through geographic coverage, response time, resolved cases, exporter conversion and verified trade outcomes. Industry-protection measures also need transparent analysis of competition and buyer costs.
Limitations
The network and integrated offices remain proposals with no disclosed budget, timetable, operating model or service standard. The reported manufacturing expansion, investment and job figures cited at the workshop came from industry and were not independently validated in the release.
Source: Press Information Bureau / DPIIT and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 22 September 2026.