Sikkim has potential to increase export revenue to Rs. 8,000 crore by 2030: Piyush Goyal

PRITAM LAMA

GANGTOK, : Commerce and Industries minister Tshering T. Bhutia, accompanied by secretary Karma R. Bonpo, attended the meeting of the reconstituted Board of Trade in Mumbai today.

The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and had participation of key officials and ministers from 10 State governments.

During the third meeting of the reconstituted Board of Trade, Piyush Goyal reiterated the government's commitment to fostering economic growth through strong partnerships with state governments. He emphasized the importance of government initiatives in creating a more transparent, efficient and sustainable trade environment, benefiting India's broader economic landscape.

The Union minister stated that India has a target of achieving two trillion dollars in exports revenue by 2030 and urged all the States and industry bodies to work towards achieving that target.

The meeting focused on initiatives aimed at fostering employment across States and enhancing the role of the Commerce department in promoting State-level economic growth. The session featured presentations from various State governments highlighting their achievements in export promotion, ease of doing business, and ongoing state-level initiatives. Contributions from the north-eastern States such as Assam, Tripura and Sikkim are expected to enhance export potential from the North East region, it was informed.

Bhutia highlighted Sikkim government's efforts in promoting trade and export initiatives. “Sikkim is committed to contributing to the national vision of increased exports and economic growth under the Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang,” he remarked, expressing optimism about the North East’s role in India’s trade future.

Bhutia stated that Sikkim has huge potential for export of organic products from the State like cardamom, ginger, turmeric and Dalley chillies. The State is working on establishing export facilitation cell in all the district so as to facilitate exports, he added. He also highlighted the huge creative potential of the State. He said that new sectors such as animation and Manga can lead to huge exports of services. Sikkim aspires to be a hub of creative industries and these industries which will garner outsourcing work for creative industries, he added.

Bhutia further said that Sikkim is looking at increasing the international tourist entry into the State to boast revenues and appealed the Union ministry to looking into opening of border trade through Nathu La and Chewabhanjyang.

In response, the Piyush Goyal stated that Sikkim being an organic State has huge potential for increasing export revenue from current Rs. 80 crores to Rs. 8,000 crores by 2030. He urged for a coordinated effort from all stakeholders to help achieve this goal.

The event saw inauguration of Jansunwai Portal of the Ministry of Commerce, wherein all the queries and grievances of the exporters will be addressed through a virtual conference between the exporter and the government officials.