Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal Highlights Global Market Opportunities at UPITS 2026
Business Momentum Continues with Footfall of 2,00,000+ Visitors, 6,700 B2B Meetings and 1,150 MoUs
Students, MSMEs and Cultural Performances Added Vibrancy to Day 3 of UPITS 2026
Greater Noida, September 27, 2026: The third day of the 4th Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS 2026) brought together policy, commerce, global market access and consumer engagement on a remarkable scale, as Sunday footfall brought a fresh surge of visitors to the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. The exhibition halls remained abuzz with buyers, business delegations, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, students and families, with Day 3 footfall recorded at around 2,00,000 visitors till 5 PM. The third day of UPITS 2026 continued to demonstrate its growing appeal as both a serious international sourcing platform and a celebration of Uttar Pradesh’s enterprise, products, cuisine and culture.
A defining highlight of Day 3 was the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, GoI, who graced the FIEO knowledge session on “Leveraging India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) for Global Business Growth.” The session brought together Shri Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Minister of Industrial Development & Export Promotion, GoUP; Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary, Minister of MSME, GoUP; Shri Hans Raj Vishwakarma, Hon’ble Minister of State, MSME, GoUP; Shri Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil, IAS, Principal Secretary, MSME & Export Promotion, GoUP; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML; and Dr. Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO, FIEO; along with senior policymakers, export organisations and industry representatives to explore how India’s expanding trade partnerships can translate into tangible market opportunities for Uttar Pradesh’s manufacturers, MSMEs and exporters.
In his address, Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted the significance of India’s expanding global trade engagement and the opportunities that FTAs are creating for Indian businesses. He emphasised the need for exporters and MSMEs to understand preferential market access, improve quality and competitiveness and leverage India’s trade agreements to reach new international markets.
The Minister said, “For Uttar Pradesh, with its immense MSME base, manufacturing capacity, ODOP ecosystem and expanding export portfolio, Uttar Pradesh is moving forward with bigger aspirations. The expansion of expressways, airports, infrastructure and industry is creating a stronger foundation for the State’s economic growth. The products and enterprises of Uttar Pradesh have immense potential to build a stronger presence in international markets. Platforms such as UPITS are helping take the capabilities and aspirations of the State to the world.”
Further adding, “As India expands its engagement with global markets, Uttar Pradesh’s industries and exporters have an opportunity to become an increasingly important part of the country’s export growth and its journey towards Viksit Bharat.”
The session was followed by the Union Minister’s interaction with industrialists and a visit to the trade fair, providing an opportunity to experience first-hand the breadth of products, enterprises and manufacturing capabilities represented at UPITS 2026. The official Day 3 programme specifically provided for his interaction with industrialists, followed by a tour of the fair.
Shri Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Industrial Development & Export Promotion, Government of Uttar Pradesh, underlined the state’s emergence as an increasingly competitive destination for investment and exports. He highlighted the expanding industrial ecosystem, improved connectivity and infrastructure and the government’s efforts to provide businesses with a conducive environment for manufacturing, investment and exports. UPITS, he noted, is bringing this transformation before buyers and businesses from across India and the world.
Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, MSME Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the opportunities that FTAs can create specifically for Uttar Pradesh’s MSMEs. He stressed that connecting small enterprises, artisans, ODOP producers and manufacturers with technology, digital marketplaces and international buyers is central to taking local enterprise to global markets.
Director General & CEO, FIEO said, “The Government is looking at export diversification very seriously. Measures such as interest equalisation, collateral-free lending, export credit, factoring, support for testing and certification, overseas warehousing and participation in international trade fairs are creating a strong enabling ecosystem for Indian MSMEs and exporters.”
Trade remained at the heart of UPITS on Day 3 as 6,700 B2B meetings were facilitated between international buyers and participating exhibitors during the day. A further 1,150 MoUs/business agreements were concluded, representing an estimated business value of ₹2,000 crore. The sustained conversion of buyer interactions into enquiries, agreements and prospective orders reinforces UPITS’ evolution from a conventional exhibition into a result-oriented sourcing and business-conversion platform—one where Uttar Pradesh’s manufacturers can meet global demand without distance standing between a local enterprise and an international market.
The business conversation continued through an extensive series of knowledge sessions. A merged MSME and Expo Bazaar session on “E-Commerce, Digital Market Access & Supply Chain Solutions for MSMEs, ODOP and Exporters” brought together experts from Shiprocket International, Kejriwal Bee Care, Thinkthrough and Expo Bazaar, with Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary as Chief Guest, focusing on how smaller enterprises can use technology, logistics and digital marketplaces to scale beyond geographical boundaries.
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) took forward the sustainability conversation through a session on “Timber Legality, Sustainable Sourcing and Global Market Access for India’s Woodcraft Sector,” examining responsible sourcing and international market requirements for India’s traditional woodcraft industry.
Another session under E-Nurture, IEML’s CSR initiative, focused on “Micro Brand Building for Artisans, Weavers and Small-Medium Enterprises,” placing branding and market positioning at the centre of grassroots enterprise development.
The Department of AYUSH, Government of Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, hosted a session on “India’s Ancient Healthcare System: Traditional Wisdom, Modern Research & Global Wellness Opportunities,” with Dr. Dayashankar Mishra, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), AYUSH, as Chief Guest, bringing traditional Indian healthcare knowledge into dialogue with modern research and the expanding global wellness economy.
A Master Class by Celebrity Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi in ODOC Hall No. 16 was a big hit with visitors and exhibitors alike, with the chef showcasing his culinary knowledge and skills, which was much appreciated by all.
Student engagement added youthful energy and creativity to Day 3 of UPITS 2026, with a series of activities designed around awareness, expression, creativity and teamwork. The day featured Art & Culture–I: Cyber Security & Road Safety, where students interacted with Mr. U. N. Pandey, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), and Mr. Ajay Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (ADCP), gaining practical insights into responsible road behaviour and cyber awareness. Students from Grads International School and Jaypee Public School, Greater Noida, participated enthusiastically in the activities.
The engagement continued with Art & Culture–II, MIME and Battle of Bands, with participation from Sparsh International School and Delhi Public School, providing young participants a vibrant platform to communicate ideas through art, performance and music. Together, these activities strengthened UPITS’ growing role as a platform where trade and industry meet education, awareness and the aspirations of the next generation.
As business conversations continued through the day, the evening brought another dimension of Uttar Pradesh alive through music and dance. The cultural programme on the third day featured a Pakhawaj duet by Pt. Ravi Shankar Upadhyay and Pt. Rishi Shankar Upadhyay, followed by Alha singing by Ms. Sheelu Singh Rajput from Raebareli, Rai folk dance by Ms. Vandana Kushwaha from Jhansi, Kathak by Ms. Priyamvada Singh from Noida and a dance presentation by Ranjana Neb from Saharanpur. The evening culminated with a performance by the Sarvtra Band from Noida.
The cultural evening provided a fitting counterpoint to the day’s high-powered business discussions—demonstrating that UPITS is not merely showcasing what Uttar Pradesh manufactures and exports, but also the traditions, artistic expressions and cultural inheritance that give the state its distinctive identity.
With two more days remaining until 29 September 2026, the fourth Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show continues to invite buyers, businesses and visitors to discover the scale, diversity and sourcing potential of a state increasingly positioning itself on the global trade map.
