Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh exported goods worth Rs 21,500.85 crore in April and May this year, 152.67 percent more than the corresponding period last year, thanks to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s initiative to promote traditional industries of the state. Goods worth Rs 8511.34 crore were exported in April-May last year from the state.
The latest data on exports from various states released by the Central Government reveals that UP exported carpets and footwear worth Rs 744.15 crore and Rs 742.47 crore as against Rs 247.63 crore and Rs 147.04 crore respectively last year. Similarly, leather wallets, bags and other products worth Rs 493.80 crore were exported this year as against Rs 79.21 crore last year while toys worth Rs 120.83 crore were exported this year as against Rs 26.19 crore last year.
Furthermore, glassware worth Rs 310.77 crore were exported as against Rs 39.99 crore last year. Cotton and silk worth Rs 72.87 crore, textiles worth Rs 328.60 crore and toys, photo frames and other artefacts made of wood worth Rs 433.81 crore were exported in the months of April and May this year despite the coronavirus pandemic.
According to officials, the demand for traditional products made of wood, jute and silk as well as carpets has been on the rise in the US and European countries of late. Besides, there is increased demand for a wide range of products made in Lucknow, Kanpur, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Varanasi, Bhadohi and Gorakhpur districts of UP in Nepal, Bangladesh and South Asian countries as well.
The One District One Product initiative of the Yogi Government has led to significant rise in exports of carpets, silk sarees, textile fabric, oven fabric and manmade staple fabric, footwear and other leather products, glassware, iron, steel, aluminum, rice, sugar, milk, flour and plastic products to the US, European countries, Nepal, Bangladesh and Southeast Asia during the pandemic.
Besides, the exports of vegetables and fruits such as fresh mangoes, grapes, fresh onions and vegetables, peanuts, processed fruits, juices and nuts has also increased significantly in the recent past. The demand for seeds of fruits and vegetables, cucumbers as well as flowers has also increased. Jamun (java plum) is also being exported now. The State Government is also receiving bulk orders from abroad for for medicines, fertilisers, fish products, rice, sugar and artificial flowers.
It is worth mentioning here that UP currently ranks sixth in the country in terms of exports. However, the Yogi Government is trying to improve its ranking further by engaging with ambassadors of 10 countries to enhance exports.
The Government has also decided to set up overseas trade promotion and facilitation centres in every district, which are expected to increase worth of exports by at least Rs 250 crore in important districts as well as by Rs 125 crore in less important districts in terms of exports. In addition, the centres will provide direct and indirect employment to 2500 people in 25 important districts in terms of exports and to 1250 in 25 less important districts.
