Uttar Pradesh (UP, India) has now become India’s first state to have its own Export Promotion Council (UPEPC). There are 28 export promotion councils across India, covering specific product categories of export items.
UPEPC, which was recently launched in Delhi, will cover 15 products/services, including ready-made garments (RMG), handicrafts, handloom, carpet, sports goods, leather and leather products. The state government will be contributing Rs 5 crore as interest-free loan towards the formation of this EPC, which will be refundable in 10 years’ time. The EPC will be a self-sustainable body, funded by trade and industry. Exporters can become its members with only a nominal charge.
There will be a total of 28 members in its management committee/executive committee, out of which 15 will be from various industries. Top officials of various departments of the UP government will become the Council’s President, Vice-President and Secretary.
After launching the Council, Nitin Agrawal, MSME & Export Promotion Minister (I/C) of UP held a meeting with its members, where industry representatives placed their demands.
Lalit Thukral of Twenty Second Miles, Noida, and Praveen Agarwal of Narayan International, Noida, exporting home furnishing items have also been included as EC members of the UPEPC.
On how UPEPC will benefit the export industry and what was its necessity when there are already 28 EPCs in India as well as an Export Promotion Bureau in UP, Lalit Thukral told Apparel Resources, “Most EPCs, which are already operational in India are catering to the personal interests of their bosses, but this UPEPC will focus more on the export promotion of the state, which has a target to double its export in the next one year. It will work in a way that will really enhance the export of state as well as facilities for the exporters.”
On the demands of the apparel exporters, he insisted on the need to increase subsidies that is currently very low in terms of the amount/limits the UP government offers.
The inaugural event also played host to the Janeshwar Mishra Export Award 2014-15, in which many exporters from various categories were awarded.
Antak Agencies International, Noida, Apex International, Manglam India Exports, Manglam Overseas, Varanasi, Taj Velvet and Silk Mills, Agra are a few, who won the textile/apparel etc. categories. There was also inauguration of Craft Mart, Noida and six additional halls of India Expo Center and Mart. A BSM was also organised, in which more than 24 firms from various product categories displayed their products. Many top officials of the UP government, like Dr Rajneesh Dube, Principal Secretary MSME & Export Promotion, RK Singh, Additional Export Commissioner, Neena Sharma, Commissioner & Director, Industries, Rakesh Kumar, India Expo Centre & Mart and exporters were present during the event.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
