Jaipur, Jodhpur comprise 48% of exports, other dists need to pitch in: FIEO

Jaipur: Rajasthan risks losing out on the full benefits of India’s expanding Free Trade Agreements unless export-oriented manufacturing spreads beyond a handful of districts, according to the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO).

Jaipur and Jodhpur together account for nearly 48% of the state’s exports, while the top five districts contribute about 60%, leaving most districts with only a marginal role in global trade. This concentration limits the state’s ability to fully exploit new tariff advantages under FTAs.Director General and CEO of FIEO, Ajay Sahai, said sectors such as gems and jewellery, wooden handicrafts, engineering goods and pharmaceuticals stand to gain better access to international markets due to the FTAs.

However, he cautioned that Rajasthan must correct its regional imbalance by developing new clusters, improving infrastructure and supporting market access for industries outside the traditional hubs.The Centre’s Districts as Export Hubs initiative is expected to play a key role by identifying products with export potential in every district, addressing supply-side challenges and preparing local industries for overseas markets.

Sahai stressed that the focus should be on finished products rather than raw materials to secure higher value realization and build stronger global branding.With international markets opening wider through FTAs, Rajasthan has an opportunity to diversify its export basket and make growth more inclusive by bringing more districts into the global value chain. Innovation, capacity key to unlocking textile export potential: DhandaTextile industry should use FTAJaipur: Rajasthan’s textile and apparel industry should make greater use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), improve product quality and embrace innovation to strengthen its presence in global markets, Kartikay Dhanda, secretary, Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, said while addressing the members of Association of Garment Exporters of Rajasthan (AGES) in Jaipur.Highlighting Rajasthan’s strong base in textiles and apparel, he said the state has significant opportunities to expand exports if businesses actively utilise the benefits offered under trade agreements and Central as well as state govt schemes. He called upon exporters to adopt a long-term strategy centred on quality, innovation, value addition and sustainability to enhance their competitiveness in overseas markets.Dhanda said improving global competitiveness would not only help individual enterprises diversify their export destinations but also increase Rajasthan’s contribution to India’s overall textile exports.