From local to global: UPITS 2025 puts India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision on world stage

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 3rd edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025 at Greater Noida. Launched under the theme “Ultimate Sourcing Begins Here” , the event aims to showcase Uttar Pradesh as a global investment and industrial hub, highlight local MSMEs, artisans, and startups, and promote the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The five-day trade show, held from September 25-29, focuses on innovation, integration, and internationalization, connecting international and domestic buyers with producers. This year, over 2,250 exhibitors from 75 districts and more than 550 buyers from nearly 80 countries are participating, with Russia as the partner country. The event also highlights UP’s handicrafts, textiles, leather, agriculture, IT, electronics, AYUSH, and cultural heritage, alongside schemes such as ODOP(One District One Product) and CM Yuva Udyami Yojana.

PM Modi’s address: Prime Minister Modi welcomed participants and congratulated organizers for featuring 2,200 exhibitors and showcasing Russia as the partner country. Reflecting on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Antyodaya, he emphasized inclusive development and upliftment of marginalized sections.

PM Modi stated that India has built open digital platforms that create opportunities for everyone, “Platforms for All, Progress for All.” He noted that despite global disruptions and uncertainty, India’s growth trajectory remains remarkable, reflecting the strength of its economic fundamentals and governance. The Prime Minister stressed that India must become self-reliant, and every product that can be made in the country should indeed be made in India. He highlighted how a vibrant defence manufacturing ecosystem is taking shape, where every component proudly carries the mark of ‘Made in India.’ Modi also underscored that structural reforms in GST are set to give new wings to India’s growth story, making the economy more efficient and future-ready.

Shri Modi highlighted India’s achievements in fintech through UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and ONDC, which provide opportunities to all citizens, including small traders and street vendors. He cited the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, which has facilitated government procurement worth ₹15 lakh crore, with nearly ₹7 lakh crore sourced from MSMEs.

Emphasizing self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister urged entrepreneurs to produce high-quality domestic products, invest in research, and develop innovative solutions. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s industrial growth, noting that 55% of India’s mobile phones are manufactured in the state, which is also becoming a hub for semiconductors and defense production. He outlined improved connectivity via expressways, airports, freight corridors, and tourism initiatives, while urging businesses to align with India’s self-reliant vision.

CM Yogi’s address: Shri Yogi Adityanath praised PM Modi’s leadership and highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s transformation as part of a “New India” emerging as a $1 trillion economy. He emphasized the impact of the next-generation GST reforms, which have simplified taxation from four slabs to two, and remembered Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary, linking development initiatives to his vision of Antyodaya.

The CM underscored youth empowerment, reiterating PM Modi’s call for young Indians to become job creators rather than job seekers. He highlighted schemes like the PM Startup Yojana, PM Internship Yojana, and CM Yuva Udyami Yojana, which have collectively facilitated employment for over 90,000 individuals in less than a year in Uttar Pradesh. He also stressed support for artisans and craftsmen through government schemes and initiatives like the Vishwakarma Shram Samman, training programs, and packaging kits, helping over four lakh artisans gain new market opportunities. The CM announced plans to submit proposals for 71 products to be granted GI tags, aiming to make UP the GI product capital of India.

CM Yogi highlighted that Uttar Pradesh is leading in industrial growth, MSME development, mobile production, and global trade participation, and emphasized the state’s infrastructure development, ODOP(One District One Product) initiative, and global trade show as platforms to attract foreign investment, boost exports, and support small entrepreneurs.

Impact on everyday citizens: Beyond attracting investors and promoting exports, the trade show and related initiatives aim to benefit farmers, small traders, women entrepreneurs, and local artisans. Simplified GST and ODOP products provide them access to wider markets,and Visitors will be able to savour traditional delicacies such as Moradabadi dal, Banarasi Paan and Lassi, Panchhi petha, Jain shikanji, Mathura peda, and Khurja's Khurchan. while schemes like CM Yuva Udyami Yojana and Vishwakarma Shram Samman empower youth and craftsmen to generate income locally. Ensuring quality standards, market visibility, and sustained demand will be crucial for these citizens to see tangible economic gains.

While UPITS and related initiatives signal ambitious industrial and economic growth, translating participation into tangible, inclusive benefits remains the real test. Questions remain on how effectively programs like ODOP, CM Yuva Udyami Yojana, and global investor summits will deliver long-term employment, foreign investment, and export opportunities. Infrastructure readiness, last-mile connectivity, and support for micro-enterprises are key factors in ensuring that benefits reach street vendors, artisans, women entrepreneurs, and remote districts. Maintaining high-quality standards and fostering innovation are critical to sustaining global competitiveness, beyond the numbers showcased at trade shows.

UPITS 2025 demonstrates the government’s ongoing efforts to support artisans, craftsmen, and local entrepreneurs, helping them access national and global markets. Initiatives like ODOP, GI tagging proposals, and training programs aim to create a platform where local talent can showcase their products, scale businesses, and compete internationally, ensuring that Uttar Pradesh’s growth story benefits both its industries and everyday citizens. By turning regional strengths into global opportunities, such initiatives not only boost Uttar Pradesh’s economy but also contribute to India’s larger vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub and a leading exporter of unique, value-added products rooted in its cultural heritage.