In this article, India’s export hotspots are mapped giving details such as India’s top exporting districts, top exported commodities, and potential ways in which India’s exports can be increased. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam economy segment.
India’s Top Exporting Districts
- Jamnagar in Gujarat is the top exporting district in India, forming about 24% of the country’s exports in value terms in FY23.
- Surat in Gujarat and Mumbai Suburban in Maharashtra are the second and third top exporting districts, forming only about 4.5% of the country’s exports in the same period.
- The other districts in the top 10 are Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka), Devbhumi Dwarka, Bharuch and Kachchh (Gujarat), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu), and Gautam Buddha Nagar (Uttar Pradesh).
- Jamnagar’s dominance is attributed to the fact that it formed a lion’s share of India’s surging petroleum exports, while Kancheepuram’s most exported commodity was smartphones.
- Most top exporting districts in the Northeastern States formed as much as 90% of a State’s exports. Gomati (Tripura), Ri Bhoi (Meghalaya), and East Sikkim (Sikkim) formed over 90% of their State’s exports.
- Districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Ernakulam formed about 40-50% of their respective State’s exports.
Top Exported Commodities:
- Kamrup, Assam’s top exporting district, exported tea the most; Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh exported smartphones the most; Raipur in Chhattisgarh exported parboiled rice the most; and Mumbai Suburban in Maharashtra exported diamonds the most.
- The top exporting districts of petroleum products in FY23 are Jamnagar, Dakshina Kannada, and Begusarai.
- The top five exporting districts of precious stones and jewellery includes Surat, Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Jaipur, and Kolkata.
- The leading district among the top exporting districts of rice, wheat, and other cereals is Karnal, followed by Raipur and East Godavari.
- The leading five exporting districts for smartphones and electronic parts are Gautam Buddha Nagar, Kancheepuram, Kolar, Bengaluru Rural, and Kachchh.
- The top five exporting districts of vehicles other than railways are Kancheepuram leading the list, followed by Pune, Gurugram, Anantapur, and Aurangabad.
- The top five exporting districts of pharmaceutical products are Medchal Malkajgiri, Ahmedabad, Ranga Reddy, Solan, and Visakhapatnam.
Top Exporting Commodity Share of the District:
- Jamnagar’s petroleum products export constituted 67% of India’s total exports for that commodity. Similarly, Surat’s precious stones and jewellery exports constituted 36% of India’s total exports for that commodity, while Gautam Buddha Nagar’s smartphone exports constituted 26% of India’s total exports.
Way Forward to Boost India’s Exports
- Diversification of export commodities: India should focus on diversifying its export basket by promoting and supporting the export of non-traditional items such as electronic goods, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.
- Improve export infrastructure: India needs to improve its export infrastructure, such as ports, roads, and railways, to reduce the cost of exports and improve efficiency.
- Focus on developing regional export hubs: The government should develop regional export hubs that specialize in certain export commodities. This would help in creating economies of scale, reducing costs, and promoting competitiveness.
- Increase investment in research and development: Investment in research and development is critical to help Indian exporters produce high-quality goods at lower costs, making them more competitive in the global market.
- Facilitate trade and reduce red tape: The government should simplify export procedures and reduce red tape to make it easier for Indian exporters to do business with foreign partners.
- Promote MSME exports: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) should be encouraged to participate in exports by providing them with easy access to credit, technology, and infrastructure.
- Leverage digital technology: Indian exporters should leverage digital technology to reach out to global customers and promote their products. The use of e-commerce platforms can help Indian exporters to reach a wider market at a lower cost.
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