Calls for Promoting Indigenous Trade and Supporting Domestic Products to Reduce Import Dependence

New Delhi, May 18 (H.S.):

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India has set a target of achieving $2 trillion in exports over the next five years as part of its journey toward Atmanirbhar Bharat. Goyal also announced that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Oman will come into effect from June 1.

He made the remarks while addressing a two-day National Traders’ Conference jointly organized by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at Bharat Mandapam.

On the occasion, Goyal also launched a dedicated website for the “Bharat Trade Festival.”

The Commerce Minister stated that the initiative would provide new momentum to India’s trade sector, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and youth by advancing the vision of “Vocal for Local” toward “Local to Global.”

He expressed confidence that the “Bharat Trade Festival,” scheduled to begin at Bharat Mandapam in 86 days, would serve as a major platform for promoting indigenous products, strengthening import substitution, and expanding India’s presence in global markets.

Goyal further said that if 1.4 billion Indians unite in this effort, “no force in the world” would be able to stop India from achieving the goal of becoming a developed nation.

The minister added that the trade fair would bring together nearly 1,000 businesses on a single platform and would place special emphasis on quality, packaging, branding, and marketing in order to help Indian products compete effectively in international markets.

He said the initiative would increase awareness about products manufactured in India, encourage the growth of domestic industries and trade, and boost exports from the country.

Piyush Goyal also urged all stakeholders to work collectively to make the “Bharat Trade Festival” a success.

The Bharat Trade Festival will be held at Bharat Mandapam from August 12 to August 15. The event is being organized as a Swadeshi trade fair aimed at showcasing goods and services made in India.

Apart from ITPO and CAIT, the festival will also receive support from transport bodies, logistics firms, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and Laghu Udyog Bharati.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar