Government designates Dakshina Kannada as District Export Hub says Union Minister Jitin Prasada

New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday said that it has designated Dakshina Kannada as a District Export Hub under the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative, with seafood and cashew added as potential export products.

Replying to Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed Lok Sabha that the recognition underscores the district’s strong export potential and aligns with ongoing efforts to promote balanced and sustainable economic growth across the country.

The identified focus areas under this initiative are expected to further strengthen local industry, enhance value-added activities, and expand market opportunities for enterprises in the region.

The designation is aimed at fostering increased participation in global trade and supporting long-term development within the district, the minister said in his reply.

Under the DEH initiative, the government is undertaking a structured process to identify and address district-specific export bottlenecks, including those relating to logistics, connectivity, and warehousing, the minister said.

Under the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative, the government is undertaking a structured process to identify and address district-specific export bottlenecks, including those relating to logistics, connectivity, and warehousing.

For the Dakshina Kannada district, a District Export Action Plan (DEAP) has been formulated, highlighting requirements for improved export infrastructure, including enhanced first-mile linkages to New Mangalore Port, augmentation of warehousing and consolidation facilities, and support infrastructure for identified export products.

Further, a District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) has been constituted to facilitate coordinated action among district authorities, exporters, the port authority, customs, logistics agencies, and relevant State and Central departments.

Through this mechanism, infrastructure-related requirements identified in the DEAP—including port-connected warehousing and logistics support—are being taken up with the concerned implementing agencies for appropriate consideration, the minister said.

The DEH initiative serves as a facilitative and consultative framework to ensure that district-level export requirements are aligned with ongoing and proposed infrastructure development efforts in the region, including those associated with New Mangalore Port, thereby strengthening the overall export ecosystem in Dakshina Kannada district.

This initiative serves as a facilitative framework aimed at strengthening district-level export potential and supporting local value-chain development, Prasad said.