Policy Commission's EPI (Export Preparedness Index) report shows that Punjab has jumped 10 points in exports this time. It is ranked 8th in the list of Land Locked Provinces (which is not connected to the port) according to NITI Aayog. Last year, in December 2021 Punjab exported hosiery, textiles, auto parts, iron and steel articles, sports goods and agriculture as much as rice and cotton.
In 2020, the state had a score of 39.63 and trailed behind most other major states. Gujarat-Maharashtra has retained the first and second positions, Karnataka has moved up from ninth to third while Tamil Nadu has slipped to fourth. Haryana has reached 7th to 5th position. Uttar Pradesh at number 11 to 6 and MP is ranked 12th to 7th. There, Punjab has moved up 10 ranks from 18th to 8th position. Chandigarh is at number 24 whereas last time it was at number 27.
The state has exported goods worth Rs 3752.48 crore more than last year. The March figures for February of the current financial year are yet to be added. The Export Department has projected this figure to cross Rs 60,000 crore by March 31, 2022, which in itself would be a record for the state in exports. So far, the state's exports have been close to Rs 40,000 crore.
State export commissioner and director, industries and commerce, Sibin C said, “The target is to get into the list of top five states in EPI rankings.” Punjab exported goods worth ₹38,000 crore between April 2021 and December 2021 with cereals (mainly basmati rice), automobiles and auto parts, cotton, organic chemicals and apparel and apparel accessories topping the list of commodities exported from the state.