Kolkata: Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, presented the EEPC India Eastern Region Awards to top-performing engineering goods exporters at a joint ceremony celebrating the 40th and 41st editions of the awards.
A total of 73 awards were presented to 42 member exporters from the Eastern Region for their outstanding performance during FY 2021–22 and 2022–23. Commending EEPC India’s seven-decade-long contribution to India’s engineering export growth, Dr. Fleming praised its “exemplary role in nurturing and supporting its members’ international business aspirations.”
Highlighting India’s progress in the engineering segment, Dr. Fleming remarked,
“India has made significant strides toward becoming a global superpower in engineering, and EEPC India has played a vital role in this journey.”
He also emphasized the significance of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in July 2025, calling it a landmark development that will “unlock huge opportunities for trade and investment across diverse sectors.”
Engineering Exports from East Touch $11.08 Billion
In a message to the event, Mr. Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, congratulated the awardees and noted that engineering exports from the Eastern Region reached US$11.08 billion in FY 2024–25, accounting for 10% of India’s total engineering exports.
He observed that despite global challenges — from Red Sea disruptions to protectionist trade policies — India’s engineering exports hit an all-time high of US$116.67 billion in FY 2024–25.
“The Government of India remains committed to supporting exporters by improving ease of doing business, expanding market access, and strengthening trade infrastructure,” he said.
Leaders Call for Diversification and MSME Empowerment
Aakash Shah, Vice Chairman, EEPC India, congratulated the award winners, calling them “real champions.” Referring to global trade barriers like the Trump tariffs and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), he urged exporters to diversify destinations:
“Protectionist policies are rising. To remain resilient, we must expand into Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East — markets full of promise for engineering products and infrastructure.”
B. D. Agarwal, Regional Chairman (ER), EEPC India, underscored the role of MSMEs as structural pillars of global economies and expressed optimism about achieving the Government’s $300 billion engineering export target by 2030. He lauded both award winners and non-awardees for their contributions to the sector.
Binod Kr. Sarda, Dy Regional Chairman (ER), EEPC India, noted that India’s engineering exports showed “remarkable resilience” amid geopolitical and economic turbulence in 2024–25. He also invited participants to the 12th edition of “Subcontract India,” scheduled for November 6–8, 2025.
India’s Engineering Milestones and Eastern Region’s Legacy
Dr. Rajat Srivastava, Additional Executive Director, EEPC India, reflected on the sector’s recent milestones:
“FY 2021–22 marked a historic achievement as India’s engineering exports crossed US$100 billion for the first time, reaching US$112 billion. In 2022–23, we again surpassed projections with exports of US$107.04 billion.”
Jaya Basu, Regional Director (ER), EEPC India, applauded the government’s role in supporting outbound shipments and celebrated the Eastern Region’s legacy as India’s industrial heartland for over two centuries.
“Our exporters embody the region’s enduring entrepreneurial spirit and capacity for innovation,” she stated.
