Minister Goyal urges Indian cos to buy from each other, shun foreign goods
This story was originally published at 14:30 IST on 18 May 2026
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--Minister Goyal: Need good quality packaging, mktg to capture global mkts
--CONTEXT: Minister Goyal comments at Bharatiya Vyapar Mahotsav website launch
--Minister Goyal: Several FTAs to come into effect soon, will help exporters
--Goyal: Request our businesses to buy from each other, shun foreign goods
--Minister Goyal: Businesses should not be dependent only on govt sops
NEW DELHI – Union Trade and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Monday urged Indian businesses to buy from each other and shun foreign goods. He also asked the business houses not to be dependent only on government sops. "I request our businesses to buy from each other and avoid foreign goods just to save a little money," Goyal said after launching the Bharatiya Vyapar Mahotsav 2026 website.
The event, to be held from Aug. 12 to Aug. 15 at Bharat Mandapam, is being pitched as the "largest Make-in-India multi-sectoral trade expo" that will bring together India's diverse businesses, connecting traders, manufacturers, micro, small, and medium enterprises, industry leaders, and policymakers. The event will be jointly organised by the Trade Promotion Organisation and Confederation of All India Traders.
Goyal emphasised that if superior quality things are produced locally, nobody will go for foreign products. He also reiterated India's exports target of $1 trillion for 2026-27 (Apr-Mar). More
The minister said that with a series of free trade agreements with various countries set to come into effect starting as soon as Jun. 1, Indian exporters will have opportunities to sell their goods in those countries with minimal duties.
"Good product quality, good packaging, and effective marketing are important to compete in global markets," Goyal said, adding that businesses can take help from the government-run Indian Institute of Packaging to improve standards of packaging. Apart from this, he said, the scale of operations by local manufacturers will have to be expanded to compete in global markets.
"At the same time, our businesses should not be dependent only on government sops. The government can provide a kick-start, like you do in a scooter, but beyond that, the businesses should be self-sustaining," Goyal said.
While the minister urged the organisers to invite start-ups in large numbers, he asked the participants to not bring to the event any product that is not India-made. "We should be cautious and avoid things that can give naysayers a chance to belittle our achievements, like they did during the artificial intelligence summit," Goyal said.
A controversy had erupted during the AI Impact Summit in February this year after a private university showcased a China-made and commercially available robodog and claimed that it was developed at the Galgotia University's centre of excellence. End
Reported by Asim Khan
Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury
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