Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu called upon States/ UTs to explore all possible ways of tapping into the global value and supply chain by promoting the export of services, organic agricultural produce, in corporate value addition to agricultural products and fully utilize all the schemes and programmes of the Government of India. This will not only add to the GDP of the country but will also create greater employment. The Minister said that all States/ UTs must formulate an export strategy which is state specific and product specific and improve logistics and infrastructure in their region.

Suresh Prabhu informed those attending the meeting that the Government of India has formulated an Agricultural Export Policy for the first time with a focused plan to boost India's agricultural exports to USD 60 billion by 2022.

The Commerce Minister informed the Council that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the World Bank conducts an annual reform exercise for all States/ UTs under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) to improve delivery of various Central Government regulatory functions and services in an efficient, effective and transparent manner. This exercise will now be undertaken at the district level in close collaboration withStates/ UTs.

Suresh Prabhu informed the Council regarding efforts being made by the Central Government in preparing a development plan for each and every district so that growth is led from the district upwards which will be a game changer in taking India's GDP to USD 5 trillion in 2025.

He urged the States/ UTs to make use of the 5000 crore allotted for 12 champion services sector which will lead to the creation of jobs in the services sector like Information Technology & Information Technology enabled Services (IT &ITeS), Tourism and Hospitality Services, Medical Value Travel, Transport and Logistics Services, Accounting and Finance Services, Audio Visual Services, Legal Services, Communication Services, Construction and Related Engineering Services, Environmental Services, Financial Services and Education Services.

The Commerce Minister said that every State/ UTs of India has the potential for getting Geographical Indication tag for many products of that area. Also, States/UTs must use the benefits given by the Central Government for specific sectors like leather where Rs. 2600 crore was sanctioned by the Cabinet for the development of leather and footwear industry.

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