Gangtok: In a bid to strengthen Sikkim’s export ecosystem and expand market access for local products, the state’s Commerce and Industries Department on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata. As part of the initiative, an Export Facilitation Cell was also inaugurated to support and promote the marketing of goods produced in the state.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Commerce and Industries Department Secretary Karma D. Youtso said the MoU is aimed at guiding local entrepreneurs in facilitating trade in both domestic and international markets. “Entrepreneurs will be supported in understanding policy decisions and in effectively using the export facilitation cell to market Sikkim’s products within the country and abroad,” she said.
Youtso highlighted that the state government has created a conducive environment for entrepreneurship under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. She noted that the ‘One Family–One Entrepreneur’ scheme has significantly boosted entrepreneurship, with the number of MSME entrepreneurs rising from about 1,000 in 2020 to nearly 30,000 at present.
Under the agreement, IIFT Kolkata will assist the department in key areas such as developing policy frameworks, conducting capacity-building programmes for local entrepreneurs, and enhancing the skills of departmental manpower. An export coordinator has been appointed to facilitate the functioning of the Export Facilitation Cell.
The initial MoU has been signed for a period of three years and will be reviewed annually. Youtso said that the Export Facilitation Cell and all related export activities are being implemented under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme of the Union MSME Ministry.
She added that exporters can avail a 50 per cent transport subsidy by submitting relevant bills, while a similar subsidy will be provided to entrepreneurs who use cold storage facilities for export purposes.
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IIFT Kolkata Professor Dr K. Rangarajan lauded the proactive steps taken by the Commerce and Industries Department to strengthen Sikkim’s export ecosystem. He said IIFT would work closely with the department to build export readiness among local entrepreneurs through training programmes, market guidance, policy support and handholding initiatives.
