The Yogi Adityanath government is planning to develop an International Trade City in the Noida region to position Uttar Pradesh as a preferred investment destination in South Asia. According to reports from Invest UP, the proposed city will be developed on the lines of China's Yiwu International Trade City and will be pitched as a new global hub for trade, industry and exports. The concept mooted by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) aims to create a one-stop trading destination where facilities for showcasing, trading and exports are available at one location.
The International Trade City will promote the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Uttar Pradesh, which has India's largest concentration of MSMEs, numbering 9.5 million. As reported by Invest UP, this facility will showcase industrial products and provide an organised marketplace for selling and exports. The project is expected to facilitate local entrepreneurs and industries to explore new domestic and offshore buyers and business partners, while creating opportunities for international trade. The state currently has 96 lakh MSME units, with each unit being provided security insurance cover of ₹5 lakh.
The Noida International Airport (NIA) will provide traction to the ambitious project by providing direct air and logistics connectivity to major Indian and foreign destinations. According to Invest UP, the city will be developed as a convergence point for industry, trade, logistics and export activities. The project is expected to foster employment and business opportunities in logistics, warehousing, transportation, packaging, marketing, export services and other allied sectors. CM Yogi highlighted that Bhadohi carpets will reach Noida International Airport in six hours once the Ganga Expressway is extended as the Vindhya Expressway, with cargo facilities enabling easy access to global markets.
CM Yogi announced that Uttar Pradesh has received investment proposals worth ₹50 lakh crore, with groundbreaking ceremonies held for projects worth ₹15 lakh crore. The state's manufacturing base has expanded dramatically, with factories increasing from 14,000 to more than 35,000 in 10 years. The carpet industry exemplifies this growth, with Bhadohi carpets generating exports worth ₹6,100 crore and 90% of carpets manufactured in the district being exported to countries including the US, Germany, Australia, Canada and the UK. The state accounts for 60% of the country's expressway network and is developing 12 private industrial parks.
The UP International Trade Show at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from September 25-29 attracted more than 6 lakh visitors and over 1.5 lakh B2B meetings. The expo featured more than 2,400 exhibitors and over 650 foreign buyers, with 450+ buyers from 65 countries including 106 from BRICS countries. CM Yogi emphasized that the state has moved beyond its previous reputation for anarchy and mafia rule, stating that Sant Ravidas Nagar alone has 2,500 MSME units with an annual turnover of ₹10,000 crore, providing direct employment to more than 5 lakh people. The state's One District One Product (ODOP) programme continues to boost traditional industries while establishing new global connections.
