The Office of the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Visakhapatnam, organized an Exporters Outreach Event at Novotel Visakhapatnam, focusing on the recently launched Export Promotion Mission and initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s export ecosystem.
The event was attended by exporters, MSMEs, industry associations, and representatives from the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC). The programme was graced by Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), as the Chief Guest.
The outreach programme featured technical sessions conducted by officials from DGFT, ECGC, and the MSME sector. The sessions focused on the effective utilization of DGFT schemes, export finance support mechanisms, and strategies to enhance participation in international markets. Industry representatives from the marine fisheries, engineering, and medtech export sectors of Andhra Pradesh also shared their experiences and insights.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Lav Agarwal outlined key policy priorities under the newly launched Export Promotion Mission. He highlighted the significant progress achieved through the nationwide EODC (Export Obligation Discharge Certificate) Drive conducted between March 1 and May 31, 2026. According to DGFT, expedited disposal of EODC cases, including those processed by the Regional Authority, Visakhapatnam, has enabled exporters to secure the release of bank guarantees and improve liquidity.
The initiative has resulted in improved cash flows amounting to approximately ₹419 crore for exporters in Andhra Pradesh, providing a major boost to the state’s export community.
The Director General also encouraged MSMEs to leverage opportunities available under the Export Promotion Mission, which is built around two key pillars—Niryat Protsahan, aimed at providing trade finance support, and Niryat Disha, designed to help exporters overcome market access barriers in international markets.
A key highlight of the event was the promotion of the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Drive, launched on June 1, 2026, as a focused 90-day national campaign. The initiative seeks to increase exports of identified products from individual districts and transform them into export-oriented growth centres.
In Andhra Pradesh, the districts of Ananthapur, Chittoor, East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, and Visakhapatnam have been identified as priority districts under the programme. The campaign aims to strengthen market linkages, improve visibility of district-specific products, and create new export opportunities for local producers and MSMEs.
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, enabling exporters and stakeholders to engage directly with government officials on key trade-related challenges and opportunities. DGFT reaffirmed its commitment to supporting exporters, enhancing MSME participation in global trade, and advancing India’s vision of becoming a leading global manufacturing and export hub.
