Indore eyes export push in pharma, onion and soyabean under Centre’s district hub plan

Indore: Indore is looking to strengthen export across pharmaceutical products, onion, soyabean and other agriculture and industrial sectors as authorities move to position the district as a larger export hub under the Centre’s Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative.Officials said infrastructure support, procedural facilitation and policy assistance would be extended to accelerate exports and attract investments.The roadmap was discussed during a joint meeting of the District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC), District Small Industries Promotion Board and Investment Promotion Centre held on Monday. The meeting focused on expanding export activity, boosting investments and creating stronger market access for local products in domestic and international markets.The meeting was organised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Districts as Export Hubs initiative in collaboration with MSME and Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation. Indore is among five districts in Madhya Pradesh along with Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain and Narmadapuram, selected in the first phase of the national campaign. The programme is set to be rolled out across 120 priority districts nationwide from June 2026.Collector Shivam Verma said Indore, being one of the state’s leading industrial and commercial centres, has products capable of meeting international quality requirements and has the potential to emerge as a major export hub.“Pharmaceutical products, onion, soyabean and several agricultural and industrial products have significant export potential. Required infrastructure, procedural support and policy-level assistance will be provided to boost exports in these sectors,” Verma said.Officials said efforts are underway to simplify export-related procedures and ensure faster resolution of issues faced by industries and investors. Discussions were also held on promoting exports from agriculture-based industries, pharmaceuticals and MSME sectors.The meeting also reviewed incentives under the Madhya Pradesh Export Promotion Scheme 2025 and additional financial support mechanisms aimed at improving competitiveness of exporters.Special Economic Zone commissioner Abhishek Sharma, MPIDC executive director Himanshu Prajapati, industrial representatives, exporters and investors attended the meeting.