The Gujarat government has approved the establishment of a dedicated Gujarat Export Promotion Council (GEPC) to strengthen the state’s export ecosystem and help industries, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, expand their presence in international markets.
The proposed council will function as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the Industries and Mines Department, providing a single institutional platform for export-related guidance, overseas market access, technical assistance, financial support and logistics facilitation.
According to a government resolution dated November 3, the GEPC will be established as a wholly state-owned, non-profit private limited company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, with its registered office in Gandhinagar.
The initiative follows recommendations from a task force constituted to enhance the competitiveness of Gujarat’s manufacturing sector, which identified export development as one of the three key pillars of industrial growth. The Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT), in a report prepared in May 2025, had also recommended setting up a dedicated institutional mechanism to promote exports. The proposal was subsequently submitted by the Industries Commissionerate and approved by the state government.
A key priority of the council will be to help smaller businesses overcome barriers to entering international markets, including limited awareness of overseas market requirements, export procedures, regulatory frameworks and mandatory certifications.
The GEPC will assist enterprises in identifying potential overseas markets, developing market-entry strategies and accessing business consultancy, mentoring and handholding services. It will also organise training programmes, workshops, seminars and skill development initiatives to strengthen the export capabilities of entrepreneurs and exporters.
Through partnerships with government agencies and trade organisations, the council will facilitate participation in domestic and international trade fairs, exhibitions and export marketing programmes.
The proposed institutional framework will also include digital trade platforms, an exporter portal, common facility centres, incubation centres, testing and certification facilities, and logistics support systems to streamline export operations.
In addition, exporters will receive assistance in product quality testing, obtaining international certifications, accessing trade finance and insurance, and securing pre-shipment and post-shipment financial facilities. Support will also extend to supply chain management to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of export-oriented businesses.
The establishment of the GEPC is expected to strengthen Gujarat’s export infrastructure, improve market access for MSMEs and startups, and create a more coordinated institutional framework to translate the state’s industrial capabilities into greater participation in global trade.