Jammu and Kashmir has been ranked among worst performers on NITI Aayog export preparedness index (EPI)-2020.
The EPI is a data driven effort to identify the core areas crucial for export promotion at the sub-national level. All the states and union territories have been assessed on parameters critical for any typical economic unit to achieve sustainable export growth.
With a score of just 12.27, J&K figures at 36th rank among the states and union territories below Lakshadweep, Puducherry and all North Eastern States.
The EPI has categorized J&K in the landlocked category of states/union territories. “Bihar and J&K are some of the weaker ‘states’ . . . (who) need to improve their performance under the export promotion policy and the export ecosystem pillars,” reads the report.
As per the report J&K and other weaker states/UTs indicate a glaring paucity in both enabling and facilitating factors that could drive them towards export-oriented growth.
J&K’s exports have seen steep decline in past five years. From Rs 1043 crore in 2013-14, J&K’s exports have come down to Rs 341 crore in 2017-18. The report has been released in partnership with the Institute of Competitiveness.
On policy parameters, Maharashtra topped the index followed by Gujarat and Jharkhand, while on business ecosystem parameter, Gujarat was ranked number one followed by Delhi and Tamil Nadu.