Export Preparedness Index 2020

• 29 Aug 2020

• The first Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 has been brought out by the NitiAayog in partnership with Institute of Competitiveness.
• Gujarat has topped the NitiAayog’s overall Export Preparedness Index 2020 followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in the second and third place respectively.
• Six coastal states -- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala -- feature in the top ten rankings.

Aim

• The EPI intends to identify challenges and opportunities and encourage a facilitative regulatory framework.

Parameters

• Four Key Parameters: The index ranked states on four key parameters – policy; business ecosystem; export ecosystem; export performance.
• 11 sub-pillars: The index also took into consideration 11 sub-pillars -- export promotion policy; institutional framework; business environment; infrastructure; transport connectivity; access to finance; export infrastructure; trade support; R&D infrastructure; export diversification; and growth orientation.

Ranking of State/UTs on Four Key Parameters

• Policy: Maharashtra topped the index followed by Gujarat and Jharkhand.
• Business Ecosystem: Gujarat was ranked number one followed by Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
• Export Ecosystem: Maharashtra topped the Index followed by Odisha and Rajasthan.
• Export Performance: Mizoram led the index, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Ranking by Category

• Coastal States:Gujarat tops the chart followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. 
• Landlocked States: Rajasthan has performed the best, followed by Telangana and Haryana.
• Himalayan States:Uttarakhand topped the chart, followed by Tripura and Himachal Pradesh.
• Union Territories: Delhi has performed the best, followed by Goa and Chandigarh.

Other Observations

• India’s export has been dominated by five states: The report observed that at present, 70 per cent of India’s export has been dominated by five states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
• Landlocked Chattisgarh and Jharkhand to be Role Models:Though Chattisgarh and Jharkhand are two landlocked states,they had initiated several measures to promote exports and other states facing similar socio-economic challenges can follow them.