New Delhi, July 29 (KNN) The government is actively working to transform India’s districts into engines of economic growth by promoting local products, enhancing manufacturing, and supporting exports through coordinated initiatives, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Shobha Karandlaje informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Monday.

The One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative, led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been integrated with the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative—spearheaded by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). 

The combined effort aims to foster balanced regional development by identifying and promoting products or services with export potential from each district.

Under the initiative, districts develop a District Export Action Plan (DEAP) that outlines strategies for strengthening product quality, scaling production capacity, improving infrastructure, and enhancing market access. 

A District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC), chaired by the local administration in collaboration with DGFT’s regional offices, is responsible for on-ground implementation. 

State-level committees provide further coordination, while DGFT oversees national-level execution through a central portal.

To promote ODOP products internationally, Indian Missions abroad are actively involved in showcasing district-identified goods at global trade fairs and events.

In addition to this framework, the government is facilitating MSME participation in international markets through the International Cooperation Scheme, which provides financial support for attending trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets abroad. 

This initiative aims to build MSME capacity by offering actionable market intelligence and support for export-related costs.

Furthermore, digital marketing and e-commerce training are embedded within the Procurement and Marketing Support and MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (MSME TEAM) schemes to equip enterprises for evolving market dynamics.

(KNN Bureau)