Noida: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday pitched Uttar Pradesh as “a key destination” for investment, industry and manufacturing. He also pointed to infrastructure development — such as Noida International Airport, expressways, highways and improved connectivity — saying it had contributed to a “changing industrial landscape”.“UP is moving rapidly in the three areas — investment, industry and manufacturing — and is poised to achieve the goal of becoming a one trillion dollar economy,” Shah said while inaugurating the fourth edition of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026 in Greater Noida. He highlighted the state’s “growing” role in exports and defence production.More than 2,400 exhibitors are participating in UPITS 2026 across the 36,000-square-metre export centre, showcasing UP’s industrial, manufacturing and export potential to domestic and international buyers. Praising Yogi Adityanath govt’s industrial policies, Shah said improved law and order, investment-friendly policies and “proactive governance” had helped create a favourable investment climate in Uttar Pradesh.Shah underlined UP’s big strides in defence manufacturing, citing investments under Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The manufacture of BrahMos missile systems in the state and AK-203 rifles in Amethi, he said, reflected UP’s expanding role in defence production. Shah said India had retained its position as the fastest-growing major economy despite global uncertainties, citing a 7.8% growth rate and favourable international economic indicators. He said India was moving ahead with the resolve of achieving the “Viksit Bharat” vision by 2047, while exports had increased significantly and the country had made rapid strides in semiconductor manufacturing.Adityanath said UP had emerged as a manufacturing hub and was increasingly becoming an important destination for global investment and trade. More than 600 buyers from 90 countries were participating this year, compared with 550 buyers from 72 countries last year. More than 1.5 lakh visitors are expected at the event. He said international participation had increased, with Japan, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Austria and Belarus participating as partner countries this year.Recalling the political emphasis on the state’s traditional manufacturing strengths in 2017, Adityanath said, “The then BJP president had spoken about the traditional manufacturing of UP being its strength. He had said that the day UP understood its potential, nobody would be able to stop it.” He said the state govt gave a new identity to traditional industries through the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. “When we formed the govt in UP, we gave a brand to One District One Product. Today, UP has not only emerged strongly in the MSME sector but also as a manufacturing hub, with exports of around Rs 2 lakh crore,” he said.Adityanath said UPITS provided a platform for manufacturers and entrepreneurs from across the state to showcase their products to domestic and international buyers. “India was once known as the ‘Sone ki Chidiya’, and then came a time when we were chained. It also brought down the morale of the weavers, handicraft workers and artisans. For a long time, they did not get the required motivation and the next generation did not want to become part of these traditional industries,” Adityanath said, adding, “UP never lacked the potential. Today, it has got the power to understand that potential and has created global infrastructure, expressways, highways, airports and connectivity and then connected them with business.” The UP CM also said India’s recent free trade agreements were creating opportunities for UP’s exporters.
