Shillong, October 29: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has called for a coordinated effort to expand Meghalaya’s export potential, strengthen border trade infrastructure and connect local producers with national and international markets through India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Addressing the state-level “Leveraging FTA Outreach Programme” at Vivanta Hotel in Shillong, Dhar said Meghalaya had considerable potential to export products such as ginger, turmeric, pineapples, honey, bamboo products, handloom and handicrafts. He stressed the need to help farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs and small businesses access wider markets and benefit from emerging trade opportunities.
Dhar, who also holds the Industries and Commerce portfolio, said producing quality goods alone was not enough to ensure commercial success. Entrepreneurs needed to understand market requirements, identify potential buyers and comply with rules of origin, quality standards, certification and logistics procedures.
He highlighted Meghalaya’s strategic location along the Bangladesh border and the presence of the land port at Dawki as important advantages for cross-border trade. However, he sought greater support from the Centre to expand border trade infrastructure, including the establishment of additional Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts and the upgrading of existing facilities.
According to Dhar, several proposals relating to border trade infrastructure remained pending with central authorities. He said the development of additional trade points required coordination with Bangladesh, particularly where differences over proposed locations and inadequate road connectivity on either side of the border had delayed progress.
He also pointed to difficulties affecting the movement of commodities such as coal and limestone, stating that restrictions on the Bangladesh side could affect exports from Meghalaya. He urged the authorities concerned to work together to resolve these issues and improve connectivity in border areas.
Emphasising the importance of building direct business connections, Dhar called for more frequent buyer–seller meetings at the state, national and international levels. Referring to the buyer–seller meet held on October 8 and 9, he said the event brought together around 400 sellers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from all 12 districts of Meghalaya.
More than 100 memoranda of understanding were signed during the event, while further business negotiations were continuing, he said. Dhar urged the Union Department of Commerce to support similar programmes regularly, adding that sustained engagement and follow-up would help local producers establish lasting commercial relationships.
The Deputy Chief Minister also encouraged exporters and aspiring entrepreneurs to familiarise themselves with government support schemes covering trade finance, market access, logistics, trade fairs, market intelligence, buyer–seller meetings and overseas warehousing.
He stressed the importance of completing the necessary registrations and understanding the eligibility criteria for financial and other assistance. Entrepreneurs were advised to obtain the required Importer Exporter Code (IEC) registration and pay attention to procedural requirements, including the online submission of an “intent to claim” under certain schemes.
Representatives of export-related agencies, including the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Spices Board, were available at the programme to guide participants on export opportunities and related procedures.
Dhar also called on officials of District Commerce and Industries Centres and other departments to take the knowledge gained during the programme to the grassroots level. He said district officials should identify suitable products and production clusters, understand the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs and provide practical assistance to businesses seeking to enter export markets.
He added that the state action plan emerging from the programme, along with proposed district-level workshops, should translate into tangible results rather than remain limited to discussions.
Stressing the importance of consultation, Dhar said government interventions would be more effective if they were designed around the actual needs of producers and entrepreneurs. He encouraged businesses to share their experiences, raise concerns and seek expert guidance to overcome barriers to expansion.
The Deputy Chief Minister said greater coordination between state departments, central agencies and the business community would be essential to help Meghalaya’s products reach wider markets, generate employment and create new opportunities for local enterprises.
