UPITS: Uttar Pradesh Shaping A New Economic Geography - Anurag Agarwal

Now in its fourth edition, the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show is no longer merely an exhibition; it has become an annual manifesto of the state's economic aspirations. The state, once counted among examples of backwardness in the country's development story, is now inviting global buyers to its doorstep. This transformation is extraordinary and deserves the same level of attention.

The five-day Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS), held at India Expo Center and Mart in Greater Noida, has concluded. The stalls have been dismantled, and buyers and sellers have returned to their respective destinations. The impact of the grandeur with which the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh organised the event and the enthusiasm with which entrepreneurs and buyers participated will be visible in the days to come. As a representative of the Indian Industries Association (IIA), I have no hesitation in saying that UPITS has taken a giant leap in the global market, and we now stand at a significant milestone in the economic landscape.

At the fair held from September 25 to 29, 2026, around 4,400 Memoranda of Understanding were signed, valued at around 680 million dollars, or approximately Rs. 6,500 crore. Based on business enquiries, potential trade worth approximately Rs. 15,500 crore has been estimated. These figures are noteworthy, but an even stronger indicator lies in the activity behind them. According to official figures of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), 41,500 B2B meetings were held this time, more than 31% higher than the 31,650 meetings held last year. Trust in business is built through meetings, and when the number of meetings increases by nearly one-third in a year, it shows that the world's curiosity about Uttar Pradesh is deepening.

The roots of this achievement lie in the Yogi government's well-considered policy vision. Over the past few years, the state has not confined its economy merely to agriculture and traditional industries. The expanding network of expressways, industrial corridors, the emergence of electronics and information technology in Noida-Greater Noida, and plans for logistics parks and an airport at Jewar all point in the same direction. This points to a state that wants to play a leading role in production, exports, and investment. Policy coordination between the centre and the state, commonly referred to as the 'double-engine' government, has given momentum to this journey.

The soul of this fair is the concept of 'One District, One Product' (ODOP), which is among the Yogi government's most distinctive economic initiatives. Behind it lies a simple yet profound understanding: every district has a unique skill, and it should receive recognition, a brand, and a market. Whether it is Bhadohi's carpets or Moradabad's brass, Varanasi's silk or Lucknow's chikankari, these traditions have been nurtured and carried forward for generations. Still, without direct access to markets, their full value could not reach the artisans who created them. This ODOP initiative has transformed each district's local speciality into a shared capital for the state. Once again, the initiative emerged as the most attractive centre of the fair. In the same context, the newly added 'ODOC' cannot be overlooked. Like ODOP, this is also part of UP's economic future. With entrepreneurs from all 75 districts attending the trade show under the ODOC umbrella, the state's economic geography is being rewritten.

The basic principle of economic development states that a society that directly connects its producers with the market not only increases income but also creates a culture of enterprise. Arrangements such as 'Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet' at the fair are a practical manifestation of this principle, in which the buyer comes directly to the producer. This time, around 13,500 meetings were held in this segment, while nearly 28,000 business interactions took place in the main exhibition area. This means small entrepreneurs from a village or town, who once had to depend on the goodwill of exporters in Delhi and Mumbai, are now presenting their case directly to international buyers. These are the signs of inclusive development.

The human dimension of the fair is equally important. The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission pavilion featured live demonstrations of 16 skills. This shows that the government also prioritises building human capital. For one of the youngest states in the country, this demographic advantage becomes a strength only when young people have skills in their hands and markets for those skills. When a young person sees their training showcased on a global platform, it builds confidence that their future is secure on their own soil. For a state that has once grappled with the pain of migration, this psychological transformation is more valuable than any contract. The participation of schools from Delhi-NCR also made the event a learning platform for the new generation.

Uttar Pradesh's greatest strength lies in its geographical position and size. The state, with the largest population in the country, is also a vast consumer market and a vast production base. When such a large state adopts an export culture, it impacts the economy of the entire country. UP's role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to make India a developed nation is decisive, because no national goal can be complete without this state's participation. In this context, UPITS is the state's concrete contribution to that larger national dream.

This achievement does not mean that the journey is complete. As with any major goal, continuity is the biggest condition here as well. Converting the agreements reached into production orders, continuing the search for new markets, taking export-related information and facilities to small artisans in the districts and reducing logistics costs are all essential tasks, and work on these is also underway. From a government that has expanded this platform so significantly in four years, it is natural to expect that it will maintain this momentum. The 31% increase in meetings itself indicates that the wheel is turning in the right direction.

UPITS should not be viewed merely as an event but as an idea. The idea is that Uttar Pradesh is no longer a state that looks towards others but a state that invites the world to look towards it. The land that gave civilisation countless traditions of knowledge, art and craft is today presenting them in the language of the modern market.

About the Author: Anurag Agarwal is the National Vice President of the Indian Industries Association (IIA). A prominent business leader, his work focuses on industrial growth, policy advocacy, and promoting the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

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