{"id":346939,"date":"2025-09-26T09:08:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T03:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=346939"},"modified":"2025-10-02T12:24:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T06:54:04","slug":"role-of-northeastern-region-in-export-economy-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/role-of-northeastern-region-in-export-economy-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Role of Northeastern Region in Export Economy of India"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS Paper 3- Economy<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Northeast India borders five countries<\/strong> and spans 5,484 km of international frontiers.<\/strong> It holds rich natural and human capital yet contributes only 0.13% of exports<\/strong>. Once periphery, it is India\u2019s strategic and digital frontier. NITI Aayog\u2019s NER SDG Index (2021\u201322) shows gains but uneven progress. The Economic Survey 2024\u201325 flags high potential for infrastructure and ASEAN integration under Act East. With investments above \u20b91.5 lakh crore, the region is shifting from insurgency to innovation. Role of Northeastern Region in Export Economy of India.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Role<\/p>\n

Potential of Northeast Region in India\u2019<\/strong>s Export Economy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Border location. <\/strong>The eight Northeastern States share borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (Tibet), Myanmar, and Nepal<\/strong>. This should make the region India\u2019s land bridge to South and Southeast Asia. Yet about 95%<\/strong> of trade with these neighbours still originates outside the Northeast.<\/li>\n
  2. Export basket & advantages<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    • Agri-surplus: <\/strong>The region has high marketable surplus in pineapple (95%)<\/strong>, orange, jackfruit, banana, and cabbage. Export handling has begun through Guwahati air cargo<\/strong>, APEDA packing houses<\/strong>, and Imphal cold storage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Potential energy hubs: <\/strong>Rivers and terrain create potential energy supply hubs<\/strong>; hydropower and transmission corridors can make electricity a tradable commodity<\/strong> alongside agro-based exports.<\/li>\n
    • Tea strength, value gap: <\/strong>The Northeast produces over half of India<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s tea<\/strong>. Branding and packaging remain limited. Bulk CTC<\/strong> dominates, keeping prices vulnerable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Government initiative to enhance the export from Northeast state<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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      1. Trade facilitation and connectivity:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        • Direct agri-export clearance at Guwahati airport.<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • Five Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) packing houses<\/strong> for fresh fruits and vegetables (Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram).<\/li>\n
        • Cold-storage at Imphal airport<\/strong> to support perishables.<\/li>\n
        • Greenfield airports<\/strong> added in the last 11 years; Roll-on and Roll-off (Ro-Ro)<\/strong> waterways on the Brahmaputra.<\/li>\n
        • Bogibeel Bridge<\/strong> improving regional logistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          1. Industrial and public-investment push<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n