In a landmark development for Bihar’s agri-export sector, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)’s Regional Office in Patna during the Bihar Idea Festival.

Adding a historic touch to the occasion, Shri Goyal flagged off a 7 metric ton consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana bound for New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. The consignment was exported by Ms. Neha Arya, woman entrepreneur and founder of Nehashi from Darbhanga, Bihar. Her initiative symbolizes APEDA’s commitment to inclusive, gender-sensitive, and farmer-centric trade promotion.

The inauguration marks a significant step toward transforming Bihar into a powerhouse of agricultural and processed food exports. The Regional Office will serve as a dedicated hub to facilitate exporters, entrepreneurs, and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) in scaling up their presence in international markets.

The ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Samrat Chaudhary, and Hon’ble Minister, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, Shri Nitish Mishra, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of Bihar, APEDA, industry leaders, farmer groups, and entrepreneurs.

The inauguration and the symbolic export of Mithila Makhana reaffirm India’s vision of promoting “local to global” and positioning Bihar as a key contributor to the nation’s export growth story.

Source - APEDA