<span style="color: #222222;">NITI Aayog today released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020. EPI intends to identify challenges and opportunities; enhance the effectiveness of government policies and encourage a facilitative regulatory framework.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The structure of the EPI includes four pillars which are Policy, Business Ecosystem, Export Ecosystem and Export Performance.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It also includes 11 sub-pillars like Export Promotion Policy, Institutional Framework, Business Environment, Infrastructure and Transport Connectivity.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">On the occasion, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar said that the Indian economy holds immense potential to become a strong exporter on the world stage.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, to realize this vision, the Export Preparedness Index evaluates states' potentials and capacities.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Dr Kumar said, it is hoped that the detailed insights from this Index will guide all stakeholders towards strengthening the export ecosystem at both the national and sub-national levels.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">NITI Aayog, Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said that the Export Preparedness Index is a data-driven effort to identify the core areas which are crucial for export promotion at the sub-national level.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, all the states and Union Territories have been assessed on crucial parameters that are critical for any typical economic unit to achieve sustainable export growth.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">This edition of EPI has shown that most Indian states performed well on average across the sub-pillars of Exports Diversification, Transport Connectivity and Infrastructure.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It also says, overall, most of the Coastal States are the best performers. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu occupy the top three ranks.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">NITI Aayog said, to achieve the target of making India a developed economy by focusing on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', there is a need to increase exports from all the States and Union Territories.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The EPI provides invaluable insights on how states can attain this goal. </span><br />''