Uttar Pradesh has secured the fourth position in NITI Aayog's Export Preparedness Index for 2024. This marks a significant achievement for the landlocked state, which climbed from seventh place in the 2022 rankings.
Coastal States Dominate Top Spots
Maharashtra leads the overall list, followed by Tamil Nadu in second place and Gujarat in third. All three are coastal states with natural advantages for trade. Uttar Pradesh's rise to fourth position, despite lacking a sea coast, is being hailed as a major success story in the report.
Top Performer Among Landlocked States
Among landlocked states, Uttar Pradesh now holds the first rank. In the previous 2022 index, the state was second in this category. This rapid improvement over just two years highlights a dramatic shift in export readiness.
Government Reforms Drive Progress
An official statement attributes this leap directly to comprehensive reforms under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government. The administration has focused on strengthening export infrastructure, enhancing cost competitiveness, and promoting diverse products for global markets.
Key initiatives include the Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Policy and the One District–One Product scheme. These programs have helped local industries scale up for international trade.
Infrastructure and Support Measures
The state has invested in critical infrastructure like Common Facility Centers, logistics reforms, road connectivity, and dry ports. These developments have accelerated export readiness across Uttar Pradesh.
Financial support measures have also played a crucial role. The government provides reimbursements for freight charges, covers expenses for participation in trade fairs, and offers subsidies for quality certification and e-commerce onboarding. Export credit guarantees further reduce the financial burden on local businesses.
Platforms for Global Exposure
The Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show, organized annually for the past three years, has emerged as a vital platform for exporters. It connects local producers with international buyers and showcases the state's manufacturing capabilities.
NITI Aayog's Evaluation Framework
NITI Aayog prepared the EPI-2024 ranking by assessing states across four main pillars: export infrastructure, business ecosystem, policy and governance, and export performance. The evaluation included 13 sub-pillars and 70 specific indicators.
Uttar Pradesh's expansion into new markets, development of logistics systems, and industry-friendly policies have collectively strengthened its position. The state's diversified export portfolio now competes effectively in global markets.
This achievement demonstrates how strategic policy interventions can overcome geographical limitations. Uttar Pradesh's success offers a model for other landlocked regions aiming to boost their export economies.
