Global investors today look beyond just national policy and headline growth. Before choosing a location, investors check each state for good infrastructure, reliable logistics, available talent, and nearby suppliers. Trade strategy therefore has now reached the state level, and states stand as partners in a shared national ambition.

Export readiness is built state by state

NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024 describes districts as “the core units of export competitiveness”. Moreover, it finds that the top 100 districts account for nearly 88 percent of India’s exports. The index encourages a spirit of shared learning and purposeful competition among states.

Every state brings a different strength

India’s competitiveness draws on a portfolio of state capabilities, as the same index shows:

  1. Maharashtra leads with a score of 68.01, with exports in gems and jewellery and automotive components, and MSME support through incentives.
  2. Tamil Nadu was the only top-five exporting state to grow in FY24, at about 7 percent, led by consumer electronics, automotive and textiles.
  3. Gujarat contributes about 30 percent of national exports, anchored in petrochemicals and gems and jewellery.
  4. Uttar Pradesh has a consumer electronics district, Gautam Buddha Nagar, that contributes 2.3 percent of national exports.
  5. Telangana is an emerging export hub, with growth led by aerospace and pharmaceutical products.

MSMEs carry state strengths into global value chains

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which account for a substantial share of India's manufacturing and exports, have the potential to expand the country's international trade footprint. Yet many smaller enterprises face challenges relating to market information, product standards, financing, logistics and international buyer connections. Initiatives such as One District One Product and Districts as Export Hubs offer opportunities to identify and promote the distinctive economic strengths of different regions.
From handicrafts and textiles to agricultural products, engineering goods, processed foods and specialised manufacturing, India's districts possess considerable export potential.

 

States can support these enterprises by strengthening common testing and certification facilities, developing export-oriented clusters, improving logistics connectivity and facilitating participation in international exhibitions and buyer-seller meetings.
Digital platforms and e-commerce can further enable smaller businesses to access overseas consumers and markets without requiring extensive physical distribution networks.

MSMEs supply, manufacture, provide services and export across these clusters. They accounted for 48.5% of total exports in 2025-26, and exporting MSMEs have risen from 52,849 in 2020-21 to 173,350 in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of MSME. State governments help close gaps in technology, access to finance and talent, and the index notes that they “need to play a pivotal role in shaping export strategies tailored to local capabilities.”

 

Andhra Pradesh shows what the partnership looks like

Andhra Pradesh ranks fifth among large states in the index with a score of 60.65, on the strength of its ports, aquaculture and the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. Its 974 km coastline is the second longest in India. The state contributes about 32 percent of India’s seafood exports, with marine product exports of $2.7 billion  in FY25-26.

On 16 October 2025, foundation stones were laid for the Orvakal and Kopparthy industrial areas, with a total investment of over $519.34 million. Designed with plug-and-play infrastructure and a walk-to-work concept, the two areas are expected to attract INR 210,000 million in investment and generate about 100,000 jobs. A semiconductor unit approved in August 2025 sits alongside units in Odisha and Punjab, and an AI hub with an international subsea gateway at Visakhapatnam has been announced. A recent report indicates that the Chief Minister has directed an MSME showcase at each regional conference ahead of the Summit, linking local enterprises to these investors.

Partnership Summit 2026 brings the national ambition to Visakhapatnam

The 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 will be held in Visakhapatnam on 12–13 November 2026 under the theme “Navigating the New World Order: Trade, Technology, Trust and Thought Leadership.”
Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the Summit will bring together global leaders, policymakers and industry representatives to explore emerging opportunities for international cooperation.
Key areas of discussion will include critical minerals, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, smart manufacturing, green energy, future mobility, and digital and future skills. The previous edition welcomed over 3,000 delegates from around 60 countries, highlighting the Summit’s role as a platform for global engagement. In 2026, the Summit will provide an opportunity to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s strengths, connect state-level capabilities with global opportunities, and strengthen partnerships that support trade, investment and economic growth.