Punjab has been recognised as a ldquoLeader Staterdquo in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, released by NITI Aayog, informed Sanjeev Arora, Cabinet Minister for Industries amp Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power, Local Government Punjab. The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) is a comprehensive, data-driven framework developed by NITI Aayog to assess the export readiness of Indian States and Union Territories. It evaluates performance across four key pillarsmdashPolicy Framework, Business Environment, Export Ecosystem, and Export Performancemdashusing more than 70 indicators, including institutional capacity, RampD infrastructure, logistics, and transport connectivity. The index promotes competitive federalism while enabling states to identify strategic areas for enhancing global trade competitiveness. The EPI 2024 report was released by BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, and Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog, who lauded Punjab for its notable gains in this yearrsquos assessment, reflecting strengthened policy support, infrastructure development, and a growing export ecosystem. A Remarkable Ascent for Punjab The Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora highlighted that Punjab has secured the 2nd position among Landlocked States in EPI-2024 and has been categorised as a ldquoLeader State.rdquo This achievement is especially significant as five of the top seven ranked states are coastal states with inherent access to seaports. Despite being landlocked, Punjabrsquos rise into the top tier underscores the Statersquos success in overcoming logistical challenges through focused policy interventions, strong internal connectivity, and sustained infrastructure upgrades. Drivers of Success Policy Reforms and Governance Shri Sanjeev Arora emphasised that EPI-2024 places renewed focus on policy implementation, administrative reforms, and outcome-based performance, offering a realistic reflection of a statersquos industrial and export health. Punjabrsquos advancement is a direct outcome of Progressive, sector-specific industrial policies for textiles, agri-processing, manufacturing, and allied sectors. Ease of Doing Business reforms, including simplified regulatory approvals and lifecycle facilitation. A resilient export ecosystem, supporting MSMEs as well as large-scale exporters Institutional strengthening and logistics facilitation, enabling competitiveness despite geographical constraints. He further noted that Punjab has consistently earned national recognition, including being ranked among Top Achievers in Ease of Doing Business 2024 and winning Gold in the State Category at the ODOP Awards 2024, reflecting the Statersquos business-friendly and reform-oriented governance. The Cabinet Minister reaffirmed the Government of Punjabrsquos commitment to deepening these reforms and strengthening export-oriented infrastructure, ensuring that Punjab continues to play a pivotal role in Indiarsquos journey towards becoming a global export powerhouse.

Punjab Recognised As A Leader State In Export Preparedness Index epi 2024 Sanjeev Arora