Districts as Export Hubs: 590 districts, 249 notified, what is in it for you

The Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative was launched under FTP 2023 as a flagship for District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs). The vision: identify one or two flagship products per district that have export potential, build the institutional and infrastructure support around them, and channel exporter outreach through a single state and district touchpoint.

As of Q4 2024, 249 of India's 590 districts have been notified with flagship product(s). The number is expected to cross 350 by end of FY 2025-26.

How DEH actually helps your exports

DEH is not a direct subsidy. It is a coordination and access scheme. Specifically:

• Infrastructure grants. DEPC has discretionary funds for last-mile infrastructure (testing labs, common facility centres, cold chain) tied to the flagship product.
• Market access. Curated trade fair participation through your DEPC, often subsidised or sponsored.
• Documentation support. RCMC processing, IEC issuance, and scheme application assistance is fast-tracked for DEH-notified products.
• Cluster development. Eligibility for cluster development grants (capex, training, branding) prioritised within the DEH framework.

How to check if your district is notified

The DEH dashboard at the DGFT portal lists all notified districts. The notification format includes district name, state, flagship product, and ITC HS code(s). A quick way to check: search the dashboard for your district name. If you see your district with a flagship product, that product is your access ticket.

If your product is not the flagship, you may still benefit from district-level infrastructure (testing, cold chain) if you manufacture in the district.

Examples we have spoken to

Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh: Carpets and floor coverings (HS 5701, 5702, 5703). DEH has funded a common wool testing facility and underwrites three international trade fair stalls per year for cluster exporters.

Nadia, West Bengal: Handlooms and jamdani. DEPC coordinates Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) RCMC and trade fair participation.

Hapur, Uttar Pradesh: Hardware and tools (HS 8205). DEPC has facilitated bulk EPCG applications for the cluster, reducing duty-saved-import lead times.

Tirupur, Tamil Nadu: Knitwear. DEPC has historically been the most active in India, with a permanent India International Knitwear Expo presence.

Engagement path

Three steps:

• Identify your district's DEPC convenor (usually the District Magistrate's office or District Industries Centre).
• Submit a one-page profile: company, IEC, product, current export turnover, ask.
• Attend the quarterly DEPC meeting. Show up. Most exporters who engage even once are added to the priority outreach list.

DEH is the cheapest scheme to engage with by effort. It is also the scheme where the institutional payoff per hour of engagement is highest, if you happen to be in a notified district.