Shillong: Meghalaya is stepping up efforts to connect its farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs with international markets by leveraging India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). A State-Level Outreach Programme in Shillong today brought together the State Government, Central agencies and industry stakeholders to strengthen export readiness, improve market access and translate trade agreements into tangible business outcomes.
The programme was organised by the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, Government of India, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It aimed to familiarise exporters and entrepreneurs with FTA provisions, export promotion schemes and the procedures involved in accessing overseas markets.
Addressing the programme, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Commerce and Industries, highlighted the potential of FTAs to connect Meghalaya’s farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs with global markets. He thanked the Department of Commerce and DGFT for selecting Meghalaya for the outreach programme and reiterated the State Government’s commitment to helping local producers benefit from international trade.
“The State Government wants our farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs and young people to benefit from the opportunities created by the FTAs, and my Department is committed to making that happen,” Dhar said.
Identifying horticultural produce, spices, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, honey, bamboo, handloom and handicrafts as key export sectors, he underscored Meghalaya’s strategic location along the Bangladesh border and the importance of the Land Port at Dawki. He noted that India’s trade agreements with partners including the UAE, Australia, the United Kingdom, Oman, the European Union and New Zealand offer preferential market access to economies that collectively account for approximately USD 26.8 trillion in GDP and USD 8.2 trillion in goods imports.
Dhar highlighted the Government of India’s Export Promotion Mission, approved in November 2025 with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore up to 2030 – 31. Its two sub-schemes, Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha, provide trade finance and non-financial assistance, including market-access support. He also referred to transportation assistance under the LIFT scheme and support for participation in trade fairs and buyer – seller meets. He urged exporters to obtain valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and Udyam registrations and follow the prescribed application procedures.
Highlighting recent efforts to strengthen business linkages, he cited the Reverse Buyer Seller Meet 2.0, held on October 8 and 9, 2026. The event brought together 30 international buyers from 16 countries, two national buyers and 400 sellers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from all 12 districts of Meghalaya. More than 100 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, with negotiations for business orders underway.
On cross-border trade, Dhar highlighted the Integrated Check Post at Dawki – Tamabil and the State’s Land Customs Stations. The State Government has proposed a new Land Customs Station at Umkiang in East Jaintia Hills and submitted proposals to upgrade the stations at Bagli, Borsora, Bholaganj, Mahendraganj and Dalu into Integrated Check Posts. He also urged the Government of India to facilitate the reopening of five existing Border Haats along the India – Bangladesh border and operationalise the completed Border Haat at Huroi in East Jaintia Hills.
Addressing the programme, Ms. Kapil Chaudhary, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, highlighted the expanding reach of India’s trade agreements. She noted that India had signed around seven FTAs in the preceding five years, providing access to markets accounting for more than 75 per cent of global GDP.
Emphasising the need to convert market access into measurable growth, she called for better identification of exportable products, improved export mapping and stronger international logistics. With Meghalaya’s exports reported at approximately USD 77 million, she stressed the importance of strengthening trade linkages and exploring ways to capture shipments currently routed through ports outside the State.
Ms. Chaudhary also highlighted the Export Promotion Mission’s 11 intervention areas, including market access initiatives, transport assistance, market intelligence studies and overseas warehousing. She encouraged businesses to utilise these measures to address logistical challenges and identify demand in international markets.
Cyril V. D. Diengdoh, Commissioner and Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Meghalaya, stressed the need to help local producers navigate international trade. “A trade agreement is like a door that has been opened for us, but somebody has to walk through it,” he said, emphasising coordination among Central ministries, State and district authorities, financial institutions, Export Promotion Councils and Indian Missions abroad.
Diengdoh outlined the workshop’s focus on market and product analysis, pre-shipment finance, trade compliance, logistics and post-shipment finance. Sessions covered Meghalaya’s export potential, FTA benefits and requirements, the Export Promotion Mission, Districts as Export Hubs and the Trade E-connect portal. Breakout sessions with relevant agencies addressed compliance, testing and certification requirements that often pose challenges for small exporters.
Reiterating the importance of implementation, Dhar said, “The State Action Plan that emerges from this workshop, and the district-level workshops that will follow, must lead to real export results.”
The programme was attended by officials from DGFT, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Spices Board, the Directorate of Horticulture, the MSME Development and Facilitation Office, the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the Meghalaya Industries and Export Chambers of Commerce, District Commerce and Industries Centres, and other stakeholders.
