Haryana overtakes UP in exports, ranks 5th in country

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 9

Haryana is now among the top five states of the country in exports, replacing Uttar Pradesh by registering exports of $2,401 million in the first two months of the current financial year. Gujarat tops the list with exports of $13,780 million followed by Maharashtra ($12,622 million), Tamil Nadu ($4,858 million) and Karnataka ($2,566 million).

Major exports from Haryana include engineering goods, automobiles, handloom products, carpets and basmati. “The increase is mainly due to exports of automobiles and auto components from the state. Other sectors have also performed well,” said SC Ralhan, former president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). 

Haryana is the fifth largest exporter with 4.42% share in the pie during April-May 2018 as compared to 4.37% in 2017-18 and 3.88% in 2016-17. “Haryana has emerged as a major auto cluster with investments flown into the engineering, automobile and ancillary industries. The increase in exports is primarily due to auto and components exports,” said Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General and CEO of FIEO. 

According to experts, the result of investments in electronics sector is expected to come soon that is expected to catapult Haryana into the fourth position as the gap between Haryana and Karnataka have narrowed to only $165 million. Haryana has been progressing consistently. It was at the sixth position in 2017-18 and seventh in the previous financial year.

This year, Haryana has taken a lead as compared to Uttar Pradesh, whose exports’ share has slipped from 4.55% in 2017-18 to 4.39% in the two months this year.

Haryana’s neighbour Punjab is far behind and does not figure even among top 10 exporting states. It is at the 13th position with total exports of $1,002 million. Its contribution in total exports has decreased from 1.91% in 2017-18 to 1.84% in the first two months of the current financial year.

Even in the GST collection, Haryana holds fifth position in the country after Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Haryana is, however, far behind Gujarat and Maharashtra in terms of its contribution to India’s exports. Gujarat’s share in the national pie is 25.4% while Maharashtra’s share is 23.23%.

“It is important to note that it is export of manufactured goods and not of services. When services like software are exported, there is hardly any ancillary benefit, but when manufactured goods are exported, it helps several other sectors like transport and also provides employment to local people,” a state government official said.