In a major step towards promoting local livelihoods and women-led enterprises, the district administration has decided to facilitate the export of products manufactured by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Shimla district to international markets. The decision was taken during a meeting of the District-Level Export Promotion Committee held on Monday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said that hundreds of SHGs in Shimla district are actively engaged in producing a wide range of local products and are already marketing them across the country through the Him Eera platform. However, none of these groups have so far completed the necessary registrations to export their products abroad. He said there is strong potential demand for Shimla’s local products in international markets, and this opportunity must be harnessed in a structured manner.
DC Anupam Kashyap explained that the Government of India’s Export Councils play a key role in promoting exports by providing guidance, training and market intelligence to exporters. As part of the process, exporters are required to complete prescribed formalities and obtain registration, after which Export Council certification is issued. Only then can products be legally exported to overseas markets. He said the district administration will ensure that all required formalities are completed through export counselling, enabling SHGs to enter global markets smoothly.
Highlighting the scale of the SHG network in Shimla, the Deputy Commissioner said around 5,500 SHGs are registered in the district, collectively supporting nearly 32,000 families. These groups are actively involved in food processing, handloom, handicrafts and herbal products, providing women with employment opportunities at their doorstep and helping them achieve financial independence.
He said the administration is committed to providing SHGs with timely platforms, skill development and training so that their products can reach a wider consumer base. Efforts are also being accelerated to extend financial assistance to SHGs, while special emphasis is being laid on improving packaging, labelling and branding of local products to meet national and international standards. The administration will also create awareness among SHGs about registration with Export Councils to facilitate exports.
The meeting also witnessed detailed deliberations on challenges related to export promotion and strategies to overcome them. District General Manager GIC Major Sanjay Kanwar and other senior officials and stakeholders were present during the discussion.
Shimla district’s SHGs are known for a diverse range of products, including pickles, chutneys, jams, pulses, red rice, honey, spices, apple barfi, barley flour, pine needle-based products, jute bags, stuffed toys, shawls, woollens and various hand-knitted items, many of which have strong potential in overseas markets.
