The Department of Commerce has launched the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative to expand India’s export base beyond traditional industrial clusters and port cities. The scheme enables every district across the country to identify and export products and services with global market potential. It affects small towns, rural areas, micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) and local producers seeking entry into international markets.
What the initiative covers
The DEH Initiative builds on the earlier One District One Product (ODOP) programme, which began in Uttar Pradesh in 2018. Rather than focusing on a single product per district, DEH takes a broader approach to export planning and ecosystem strengthening.
As of January 2026, the initiative covers more than 770 districts across the country. Draft District Export Action Plans (DEAPs) have been prepared for 590 districts, with 249 formally adopted by district committees. These plans identify export-worthy products, assess local infrastructure and logistics gaps, and recommend ways to improve competitiveness.
Products currently mapped for export potential include Jalgaon bananas and brinjal from Maharashtra, Bastar iron craft and rice from Chhattisgarh, ceramic tiles from Gujarat, bamboo craft from Jharkhand, and oranges from Madhya Pradesh.
The government works through a three-tier structure: the Department of Commerce sets policy, State Export Promotion Committees guide state-level implementation, and District Export Promotion Committees at the grassroots level identify local opportunities and resolve challenges. Implementation began on 1 June 2026 across 27 States and Union Territories with support from 24 regional authorities and 11 partner agencies.
To help local goods meet global standards, the initiative provides training on quality certification, packaging and compliance. Digital export access is being expanded through partnerships with e-commerce platforms and India Post’s postal export facilities. Six districts—Anantapur, Raipur, Solan, Tiruppur, Kanpur and Kolhapur—receive additional support under the EXIM Bank’s Grassroots Initiatives for Development programme.
What this means for you
If you run a small business or produce goods in a district outside major industrial zones, this initiative can help you access international buyers and meet export standards. Local capacity building programmes offer training in export procedures and logistics. For students and job seekers, the scheme aims to generate employment through expanded manufacturing and export activity in districts previously disconnected from global trade.