MSME Export Conclave 2026 Begins in Agra
Theme: “Strengthening India and Uttar Pradesh Exports for a Global Future
Agra: With policy support, technological integration and entrepreneurial confidence working in tandem, exports are emerging as a powerful driver of nation-building. Reflecting this vision, the two-day Uttar Pradesh MSME Export Conclave 2026 commenced in Agra on Friday, presenting a strong roadmap for positioning Indian and UP-based enterprises on the global stage.
Held at DoubleTree by Hilton, Fatehabad Road, the conclave focuses on AI-driven business strategies, global branding, export security, logistics, quality standards and international trade laws. More than 300 exporters and MSME entrepreneurs from Agra, Hathras, Aligarh, Firozabad, Mainpuri and nearby districts participated on the first day, reaffirming Agra’s growing importance as a regional export hub.
Inauguration with Dignitaries
The conclave was inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by Rakesh Garg, Chairman, UP Small Industries Corporation and Patron of the Organising Committee; Pooran Dawar, Chairman, Council of Leather and Footwear Industry; Shailendra Kumar Singh, Divisional Commissioner; Anuj Kumar, Joint Commissioner (Industries), along with senior industry leaders and representatives of major trade bodies.
“Entrepreneurship Is in India’s DNA”: Rakesh Garg
Addressing the inaugural session, Chief Guest Rakesh Garg said India was historically known as the “Golden Bird” because of its strong trade and exports.
“Agriculture brings prosperity, but industries bring economic strength,” he said.
Highlighting India’s 1.45 billion population and the presence of Indian communities in over 200 countries, Garg noted immense global demand for Indian products. He urged entrepreneurs not to be deterred by tariff pressures from developed nations, stating that both the central and state governments are continuously introducing schemes to promote exports.
He also highlighted the Industry Facilitation Centres and single-window systems designed to ease business operations.
Export Growth Essential for Economic Stability
Divisional Commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh said India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy and its future is even more promising.
“If exports do not grow, maintaining the stability of the rupee will become difficult,” he warned.
He added that initiatives such as expressway expansion, simplified land allotment and digital approvals are making Uttar Pradesh increasingly industry-friendly.
Exports Are the Backbone of the Economy
Joint Commissioner Anuj Kumar termed exports the backbone of any state’s economy. He informed that the UP Export Policy 2025–30 includes enhanced freight subsidies, incentives up to ₹30 lakh for small exporters, support for participation in international trade fairs, and subsidies on ECGC premiums, courier services and export incentives.
He also highlighted the comprehensive support framework under the ODOP (One District One Product) scheme.
Industry Voices from the Ground
Firozabad Glass Industry: Need for testing labs and skill training centres
Jewellery Sector: Strong export potential for silver products in coming years
Footwear & Leather: High demand in Europe and the Middle East
Hospitality & Tourism: A key source of foreign exchange earnings
Agra Entrepreneurs Honoured
Under the MSME Growth Catalyst Awards 2026, outstanding entrepreneurs including Vishnu Kumar, Nitin Goyal, Manish Mittal, Rohit Bansal, Ashok Kumar, Mayank Jain, Ankur Goyal, Vikas Anand and Shubham Agrawal were honoured.
Director, MSME-DFO Agra V.K. Verma briefed participants on various central and state government schemes.
AI Tools Emerging as Game Changers for MSME Exports
In a practical workshop, CA Rupal Garg demonstrated how Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gro and Perplexity can act as personal assistants for exporters.
She explained that AI can help in identifying genuine buyers, assessing creditworthiness, reducing trade risks and expanding markets—provided exporters ask precise and goal-oriented questions.
Branding: The Key to Global Recognition
CS Anuj Ashok and Ritu Agrawal stressed that quality products alone are not enough in global markets.
Strong branding, digital promotion, IP protection, compliance and consistent quality are essential to build international trust and recognition for Indian products.
Focus on Quality, Logistics and International Law
Experts also deliberated on global quality standards, export logistics, compliance and international trade laws.
Senior Supreme Court Advocate K.C. Jain advised exporters to remain legally vigilant while drafting international contracts to avoid future disputes.
A Strong Industry–Government–Entrepreneur Interface
The first day of the UP MSME Export Conclave 2026 concluded successfully with meaningful dialogue, policy guidance and actionable insights. Upcoming sessions will further explore financial, technical and global trade opportunities for MSMEs.
