Maharashtra Leads India's Export Readiness; NITI Aayog Index Ranks States
Overview
Maharashtra has secured the top spot in NITI Aayog's Export Preparedness Index 2024, signalling robust policy and infrastructure support for trade. The report highlights key states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, underscoring their contributions to India's growing export capabilities and economic resilience amid global trade expansion.
Maharashtra Tops Export Preparedness Index
Maharashtra has been declared the top-performing state in NITI Aayog's fourth Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024. The government think tank's report, released Wednesday, positions the western Indian state ahead of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, recognizing their comprehensive readiness for international trade.
State Performance Highlights
The index evaluates states on parameters including export policies, business environment, infrastructure quality, and actual export outcomes. Following Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat secured the second and third positions, respectively. Other states showing strong performance include Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab.
Among smaller states and Union Territories, Uttarakhand emerged as the leader, with Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, and others following. This segmentation provides a clearer picture of preparedness across different scales of economic activity.
Strategic Importance for India
NITI Aayog CEO B V R Subrahmanyam emphasized the growing significance of strong domestic foundations as India expands its network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). He stated that states must foster ecosystems that can adapt to new global opportunities, meet international standards, and build competitiveness at the district level.
Subrahmanyam noted a visible shift in recent years, with many states proactively developing dedicated export policies, institutions, and infrastructure. This signifies a move towards a more structured and dynamic approach to boosting India's global trade participation.
Exports as a Growth Engine
Exports are identified as a critical driver for India's economic growth, enhancing its role in Global Value Chains (GVCs), generating foreign exchange, and improving competitiveness. For India, the world's fastest-growing major economy, robust exports are key to building economic resilience, narrowing trade deficits, and fostering inclusive development.
The EPI 2024 utilized a data-driven methodology, drawing information from central and state government agencies, to assess state-level export readiness.
