Uttarakhand secured the first position among small states in the Export Preparedness Index 2024, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Uttarakhand secured the first position among small states in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024.
• The index was released by NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank.
• The EPI assesses the readiness of states and Union Territories to promote and sustain exports.
• Among large states, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat were the top performers.
• Other leading small states/UTs included Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Goa.

Detailed Insights:

• The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) evaluates states and UTs on their export performance and potential, identifying factors that foster an export-friendly environment.
• The EPI 2024 is structured around four key pillars: Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy and Governance, and Export Performance.
• The Business Ecosystem pillar carries the highest weightage at 40%, while the other three pillars each account for 20%.
• States and UTs are categorized into groups like Large States, Small States, North Eastern States, and Union Territories for a fair comparative assessment.
• Uttarakhand's top ranking is attributed to its proactive export-oriented policies, improved business environment, and robust infrastructure.
• The EPI aims to foster competitive federalism and align state-level export strategies with national goals, including achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030.
• This edition marks the fourth iteration of the EPI, with its inaugural release in August 2020.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Export Preparedness Index (EPI): A composite index released by NITI Aayog that evaluates the export readiness, competitiveness, and institutional capacity of Indian states and Union Territories.
• NITI Aayog: The National Institution for Transforming India, a policy think tank of the Government of India, established to achieve sustainable development goals.
• Viksit Bharat @2047: India's vision to become a developed nation by the 100th year of its independence in 2047, with a globally competitive and export-oriented economy as a cornerstone.