The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Papum Pare – Sachin Rana convened a consultative meeting of the District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) on Thursday, in order to finalize the District Export Action Plan (DEAP) – effort to transform the district into an ‘Export Hub’.
Recently, the Papum Pare district was selected by the centre under its ‘District as Export Hub’ programme. It aimed to mobilize 75 districts (during the first phase) to realize its potential as an export hub.
Under the initiative, support might be provided in the form of infrastructure and logistics, e-commerce, marketing, branding, skill development, training, testing facilities, Research and Development (R&D)/technology advancement, export promotion, and outreach activities.
Rana noted that exposure to well-known export businesses, interactions with concerned stakeholders, and comprehensive understanding about the export regulations are ways to learn about the export business.
He asked the progressive farmers and the entrepreneurs to collaborate with the government; and urged the DEPC members to be devoted towards the project.
Besides, the Deputy Director of Directorate General of Foreign Trade – Arjun Upadhya delivered a brief overview of the ‘District as Export Hub’ concept and mentioned that the initiative will be based on a 5-year programme with adequate funds been allocated for each district.
The District’s Trade Development Officer – Tai Arun informed that the export action plan calls-for the establishment of an import-export cell at the DC’s office in Yupia and common facility hubs like the Naharlagun Railway Station and Donyi Polo, as well as export-related training and exposure tours, buyers-sellers meet-ups, development of e-Bazaars and e-Markets for the promotion and marketing of locally-grown agri-horticultural produce, etc.
Meanwhile, the APEDA Guwahati’s Business Development Manager – Dr Saju Adhikary urged the progressive farmers and the entrepreneurs to obtain registration-cum-membership certificates and avail the benefits from APEDA.
In addition to concerned subjects, the meeting also covered issues like – logistics assistance, cold storage & packaging facilities, testing labs, documentation and certification.