Mumbai, Nov. 10 -- The Gujarat government has approved a dedicated Gujarat Export Promotion Council (GEPC) to help industries, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, access international markets and increase the state's exports. The council will operate as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the Industries and Mines Department.
The GEPC will provide a single institutional platform for export guidance, market access, technical assistance, finance and logistics support. It will also prepare district-specific export promotion plans to identify local products and industries with potential in overseas markets. The council's registered office will be in Gandhinagar and it will be established as a wholly state-owned, non-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The proposal follows recommendations from a task force formed to improve the competitiveness of Gujarat's manufacturing sector. The Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT) recommended the creation of a dedicated export promotion institution in a report prepared in May 2025, after which the Industries Commissionerate submitted the proposal for government approval.
The council will help smaller enterprises address limited awareness of international requirements, export procedures, regulations and mandatory certifications. Its activities will include overseas market identification, entry strategies, consultancy, mentoring, training programmes, trade fairs, marketing initiatives and assistance with quality testing, international certifications, trade finance, insurance and supply chain management.
The GEPC plans to develop digital trade platforms, an exporter portal, common facility centres, incubation centres, testing facilities and logistics support systems. It will coordinate with District Export Promotion Councils (DEPCs), government bodies and trade organisations, while supporting branding, intellectual property protection and the resolution of trade disputes. The council will also promote artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, digitisation, Industry 4.0 and green technologies in export processes.
The council will have between three and 15 board members, with the Chief Secretary as chairperson and the Industries Commissioner as managing director. Its initial authorised and paid-up capital has been fixed at Rs. 0.1 mn, with the entire share capital held through state government nominees.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.