Government of India is expanding the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative to bring more districts into the country’s export growth story. India’s exports of goods and services reached an all-time high of $825.25 billion in 2024–25, while exports were estimated at $863.11 billion in 2025–26.
Traditionally, exports were concentrated in established industrial centres and major port cities. The DEH initiative seeks to change this by identifying the unique products and services of individual districts and helping local businesses connect with international markets.
From ODOP to Districts as Export Hubs
The DEH approach builds on the One District One Product (ODOP) model.
- ODOP began as a Uttar Pradesh initiative in 2018, initially built around the state’s distinctive Moradabad brass industry, before being expanded nationally.
- Its basic idea was to identify, brand and promote one distinctive product from each district, turning local strengths into economic opportunities.
- Under DEH, the Department of Commerce, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), has broadened this approach from promoting individual products to building a complete export ecosystem.
- The initiative currently covers more than 770 districts across India.
What Makes DEH Different?
DEH treats a district as a unit of export planning, rather than simply as a place where goods are produced.
It works as a convergence framework, not a standalone funding scheme. Instead of creating a separate financial programme, it brings together support available under existing Central and State government schemes.
The initiative focuses on:
- Identifying district-specific products and services with export potential.
- Helping local enterprises enter global markets.
- Improving export competitiveness.
- Addressing local infrastructure, logistics and other export-related challenges.
- Promoting manufacturing and employment generation at the grassroots level.
- Encouraging district-led economic development.
How DEH Is Implemented
The initiative follows a Centre–State–District coordination structure.
| Level | Key Institution | Major Role |
| Central | Department of Commerce | Provides overall policy direction |
| Central implementation | DGFT | Coordinates stakeholders, anchors implementation and monitors progress |
| State | State Export Promotion Committees (SEPCs) | Guide implementation and ensure coordination among departments |
| District | District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) | Identify export opportunities, tackle local problems and coordinate with exporters, industry and other stakeholders |
District Export Action Plans
A major responsibility of the District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) is preparing District Export Action Plans (DEAPs).
These plans are designed to provide a district-specific roadmap by:
- Mapping products and services with export potential.
- Assessing available infrastructure and logistics.
- Identifying export bottlenecks and local challenges.
- Recommending measures to improve competitiveness and international market access.