A Council for Trade Development and Promotion has been constituted on 3rd July, 2015 to ensure a continuous dialogue with State Governments and UTs on measures for providing an international trade enabling environment in the States and to create a framework for making the States active partners in boosting India’s exports. All the States /UTs have been requested to use this Council for articulating their perspective on the trade policy, outline the assistance needed for their export promotion initiatives and to send their suggestions for setting the agenda for the first meeting of the Council. This will be an institutional mechanism for regular communication with the stakeholders.

 Department of Commerce has identified some key initiatives to be taken by States/UTs such as preparation of Export Strategies, appointment of Export Commissioners and institution of Export Awards etc. Till date, 15 States/UTs have prepared their Export Strategies, 24 States/UTs have appointed Export Commissioner and 6 States/UTs have instituted the Export Awards.

 This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

State trade council established to coordinate state export policies and facilitate regular stakeholder engagement and export promotion. Constitution of a Council for Trade Development and Promotion establishes an institutional mechanism for sustained intergovernmental coordination and stakeholder dialogue to integrate State and UT perspectives into national export policy. The Council provides a forum for States/UTs to articulate trade policy priorities, seek assistance for export promotion initiatives, and submit proposals for the Council's agenda. The Department of Commerce has identified state-level initiatives-preparation of Export Strategies, appointment of Export Commissioners, and institution of Export Awards-and reported current implementation metrics.