The Department of Trade & Commerce, operating under the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, is the principal agency responsible for the development, regulation, and promotion of domestic and international trade in the northeastern Indian state. Headquartered in Itanagar, the department plays a strategic role in enhancing economic linkages, fostering entrepreneurship, and integrating the state’s economy with regional and global markets, particularly in the context of Northeast India's proximity to Southeast Asia.
Mission and Objectives
The department’s mission is to:
- Facilitate legal, transparent, and sustainable trade practices across the state.
- Promote border trade through policy and infrastructure development.
- Encourage the growth of traditional and modern industries rooted in local resources.
- Enhance export readiness among small and medium enterprises.
- Support investment through ease-of-doing-business reforms and interdepartmental coordination.
Core Functions and Services
- Trade Licensing and Regulation: Issues trade licenses and regulates commercial activities under the Arunachal Pradesh Trade Articles (Licensing & Control) Order.
- Border Trade Promotion: Develops cross-border trade infrastructure and policies along the Indo-Myanmar and Indo-China trade corridors, notably via the Pangsau Pass in Changlang district.
- Investment Promotion: Supports prospective investors through single-window clearance and liaison with departments like Industries, Agriculture, and Tourism.
- Export Development: Coordinates with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) to boost Arunachal’s niche product exports.
- Sectoral Development Focus:
- Handlooms and Handicrafts – Empowering tribal artisans for domestic and global markets.
- Orchids and Floriculture – Promoting Arunachal as India’s orchid hub with over 600 species, many endemic.
- Agro-based Processing Units – Encouraging food preservation, fruit wine production, and herbal packaging.
- Plantation Crops – Supporting large-scale cultivation of tea, cardamom, and medicinal plants.
Institutional Leadership
The department is headed by Shri Sonyung Modi, an IAS officer, who oversees strategic planning, inter-state trade coordination, and investment mobilization aligned with Arunachal Pradesh Industrial and Investment Policy.
Economic Contribution and Trade Potential
- Arunachal Pradesh shares over 1,000 km of international border, offering immense potential for cross-border trade.
- Trade through Pangsau Pass (Myanmar) is a key focus area, with border haats facilitating barter and value-based exchange.
- Handloom and handicraft exports from registered clusters grew by 26% from 2021 to 2023, aided by participation in national expos and e-commerce onboarding.
- The state has an estimated agro-export potential of ₹800 crore annually, particularly in organic kiwis, ginger, turmeric, and large cardamom.
Key Initiatives and Infrastructure
- Border Trade Facilitation Centre (BTFC): Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry at Nampong, near the Pangsau Pass.
- Trade and Investment Cell: A state-level task force to fast-track investment proposals and provide aftercare services to investors.
- Digital Licensing Portal: Enabling traders to apply and renew licenses online, improving transparency and compliance.
Collaborations and Partnerships
- Works in coordination with:
- North Eastern Council (NEC)
- Invest India
- Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) North East Chapter
- Participates in national and international trade exhibitions organized by ITPO, APEDA, and NABARD to showcase Arunachal’s trade strengths.
Stakeholders and Beneficiaries
- Tribal cooperatives and artisan self-help groups
- Local traders and market associations
- Export-oriented MSMEs
- Foreign buyers seeking specialty crops and craft products
- Agro and floriculture startups
Challenges and Policy Direction
- The department addresses challenges like difficult terrain, limited logistics, and border sensitivities through:
- Infrastructure Development Funding from central schemes like NEIDS and NERLP
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for trade logistics and warehousing
- Trade Policy Advocacy for better integration into India’s Act East Policy
Conclusion
The Department of Trade & Commerce, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, is instrumental in unlocking the state’s vast trade potential by linking tradition with modernity, local resources with global demand, and policy with enterprise. As Arunachal Pradesh positions itself as India’s eastern gateway, the department’s initiatives in border trade, export promotion, and artisan empowerment serve as critical pillars of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
