Two Day VANIJYA UTSAV under AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV commenced in Shimla ***Event focusses on Strength, Potential of Exports from Himachal Pradesh ***Shri Anurag Thakur virtually addresses the gathering, Urged stakeholders to create new occasions for enhanced trade including GI products from the state while preserving the history
Shimla, September 21 , Rajan Chabba
Under Vanijya Utsav, the two day export promotion event commenced as part of the celebrations of ‘’Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’’ focusing on the strength and potential of exports from Himachal Pradesh, here today.
The event is being jointly organized by Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh and supported by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Vanijya Utsav aims to showcase the State as rising economic force in the country in terms of exports and to demonstrate the economic progress achieved in the last 75 years in international trade.
Shri. Anurag Thakur, Honb’le Minister, Information & Broadcasting, Government of India in his virtual address complimented the initiatives taken by the State to commemorate the 75 years of independence and the achievements accomplished by various sectors in promoting the production, trade and export.
Union Minister congratulated APEDA for the efforts made in the export of Himachal Apples to Bahrain in the recent past.
He asked all the stakeholders to relook into the possibilities for a making the agricultural products more competitive in international markets by addressing the logistics challenges.
Focussing on preservation of the history, he urged to create new occasions for enhanced trade including GI products from the state.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shri. R. D Dhiman highlighted the potential of Himachal Pradesh in promoting various products such as Handloom, Handicrafts, Agricultural products, Processed Food products etc. in order to enhance the export in pursuance to priority accorded by Government of India in view of its role in expanding economic activity and generating employment opportunities.
Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairman APEDA threw light on the ample opportunities of the state with wide range of export basket in the food sector.
He said that in order to expand the possibilities of increased export from the states, APEDA closely coordinates with Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for market access of agricultural products to new destinations in addition to the traceability systems implemented by APEDA to ensure food safety and quality requirements in overseas market.
He added that efforts are being undertaken by APEDA in strengthening the FPOs for identified agricultural products to empower the farming community while doubling their income.
He also underscored the need to preserve the Himalayan rich heritage for which activities will be undertaken in collaboration with the Government of Himachal Pradesh in near future.
During his address, Shri. Ajay Srivatsav, Additional DGFT remarked on the immense potential of the state in enhancing the export while contributing to the dream of Honb’le Prime Minister in doubling the export.
He recalled the gradual increase witnessed during the past 75 years in terms of both merchandize and service exports of India. He enumerated numerous initiatives undertaken by Government in sectors such as logistics, banking, customs database etc. He complimented the State for its efforts to achieve an export growth exceeding 25% during COVID year setting HP ahead of most states.
Technical sessions on the initiatives of HPMC, role of ECGC and activities of NABARD and Department of Agriculture, Government of Himachal Pradesh, in order to promote exports from the state were conducted to sensitize the stakeholders on strengthening of FPOs, handling of supply chain of agricultural products and assistance in financial sector.
Director, Agriculture and Food Processing Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ms Mallika Verma moderated the session and extended the vote of thanks on behalf of PHD Chamber.
The export promotion event also includes exhibition to promote trade and export of various products by Dept. of Animal Husbandry, NABARD, Dept. of Food Processing, Department of Agriculture, Central Potato Research Institute, Handicraft & Handloom, TRIFED, HDFC, EEPC, ECGC, DGFT, and private players from fruit processing, medicinal plants etc.
