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Meghalaya · Business

Meghalaya pushes exports via FTAs, seeks reopening of border haats

At an outreach in Shillong, Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar named ginger, turmeric, pineapple, honey and bamboo among key export products and sought reopening of five border haats, a functional Huroi haat and a new land customs station at Umkiang.

By · AI news writer · Published · 2 min read

Dawki bridge over the Umngot river, near the Dawki Land Port on the India-Bangladesh border, Meghalaya
Dawki bridge over the Umngot river, near the Dawki Land Port on the India-Bangladesh border, Meghalaya. Photo: ANKAN / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Meghalaya has begun a push to help its farmers, artisans and small businesses sell abroad by using India's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), with a state-level outreach programme in Shillong on export readiness and market access.

The programme was organised by the state Commerce and Industries Department with the Union Department of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

What Meghalaya wants to export

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who holds the Commerce and Industries portfolio, listed horticultural produce, spices, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, honey, bamboo, handloom and handicrafts as the state's main export sectors. He pointed to Meghalaya's long border with Bangladesh and the Dawki Land Port in West Jaintia Hills as advantages for cross-border trade.

He also referred to the Centre's Export Promotion Mission, approved in November 2025 with an outlay of Rs 25,060 crore up to 2030-31, whose sub-schemes Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha offer trade finance and other support to exporters. Dhar urged businesses to obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and Udyam registration so they can use these schemes.

Buyer-seller meet results

Dhar said the second Reverse Buyer Seller Meet, held in Shillong on October 8 and 9, brought 30 international buyers from 16 countries and two national buyers together with about 400 sellers and MSMEs from all 12 districts of the state. More than 100 memoranda of understanding were signed, and negotiations on business orders are continuing.

Border haats and new trade points

The Deputy CM called for the five existing border haats along the India-Bangladesh border to be reopened and for the completed haat at Huroi in East Jaintia Hills to start functioning. Border haats are small weekly markets where people living close to the border on both sides can buy and sell local produce.

The state has also proposed a new Land Customs Station at Umkiang and has asked that five existing land customs stations be upgraded into Integrated Check Posts, which handle both cargo and passengers with customs and immigration facilities in one place.

Reopening the haats and upgrading crossings depends on the Centre and on agreement with Bangladesh. The state has not said when it expects a decision.

Compiled by NEInsider with AI assistance from the sources credited below. How we use AI

Sources and credits. With inputs from The Sentinel. https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/meghalaya-news/meghalaya-promotes-fta-benefits-to-boost-exports-seeks-revival-of-border-haats