EXIM Conclave 2026 brings industry, MSMEs and trade experts together to explore engineering exports, digital commerce and new global opportunities
VADODARA: With Gujarat strengthening its position as one of India’s key industrial and export hubs, Vadodara hosted a two-day ODOP Exhibition and EXIM Conclave 2026 aimed at connecting the region’s industrial capabilities with emerging opportunities in international markets.
Organised by the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) through its GoG-AMA Centre for International Trade, in association with the Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI), Baroda Management Association (BMA) and the Quality Council of India (QCI), the event was held on August 21 and 22 at the FGI Business Centre in Vadodara.
Held under the theme “Vadodara to the World: Engineering Prosperity, Unlocking Global Trade Corridors,” the conclave brought together business leaders, exporters, industry associations, management professionals and trade experts to examine how Gujarat’s industrial clusters can expand their international footprint.
The event began with a keynote address by Arun Mahesh Babu M.S., IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Vadodara, who spoke on “Positioning Gujarat as a Global Engineering Hub.” His address set the tone for discussions centred on strengthening the region’s industrial ecosystem and positioning Vadodara as a more prominent participant in global trade.
The opening session featured welcome addresses by Unmesh Dixit, Executive Director, Ahmedabad Management Association; Sameer Khera, President, Federation of Gujarat Industries; and Dr. Mangla Chouhan, President, Baroda Management Association. Their participation reflected the collaborative approach adopted by industry and management institutions to promote international business opportunities for Gujarat-based enterprises.
Engineering and Chemical Clusters in the Global Marketplace
A major attraction of the conclave was the discussion on taking Vadodara’s established engineering and chemical industries to international markets.
The session titled “The Global Blueprint: Taking District Engineering & Chemical Clusters to the World” featured Vikram Singhal, Managing Director, Gulbrandsen Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Ujjval Shah, Director, Prakash Chemicals International Pvt. Ltd. The discussion was moderated by Priyanka Verma, Deputy Secretary General, FGI.
The deliberations highlighted the potential of established industrial clusters to become stronger export engines by improving market access, product competitiveness, compliance and international customer engagement.
Vadodara has a diversified industrial base spanning engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, plastics, biotechnology, textiles and manufacturing. Its connectivity through major road and rail corridors further strengthens its potential to serve domestic and international markets.
MSMEs Face a Changing Global Trade Landscape
The conclave also placed considerable emphasis on the challenges confronting India’s MSMEs as global trade becomes more fragmented and complex.
The panel discussion “Breaking the Border Friction: Opportunities for MSMEs Navigating Fragmented Global Trade” brought together Ketan Parikh, Partner, SD Intermediate, and Pranav Doshi, Senior Vice President, FGI and Director, Urja Power Pvt. Ltd., with Manisha Thaker, President, TRIALLIANCE Global Solutions, serving as speaker and moderator.
The session examined the barriers that smaller businesses encounter while entering international markets and explored opportunities for MSMEs to strengthen their global presence.
Access to overseas buyers, documentation, logistics, financing, regulatory compliance, standards and changing trade policies remain important considerations for smaller exporters. The discussions underscored the need for greater preparedness and strategic support to enable MSMEs to move beyond traditional markets and participate more effectively in global supply chains.
Digital Commerce and AI Open New Export Possibilities
Technology emerged as another important theme of EXIM Conclave 2026, with speakers highlighting how digital platforms and artificial intelligence are changing the way companies identify markets, connect with customers and promote their products internationally.
The session “Leveraging E-Commerce, Digital Marketplaces, and AI for Export Promotion” featured Rutvij Sunil Vora, Co-Founder & CEO, Satark AI, and Pooja Sant, Manager – Inside Sales, Logibeats Freight Services Pvt. Ltd.
The discussion focused on the growing importance of digital commerce and AI-enabled tools in helping businesses reach international customers, identify new markets and develop more efficient approaches to export promotion.
For MSMEs in particular, digital marketplaces can offer a pathway to international visibility without requiring the extensive physical infrastructure traditionally associated with overseas market development.
Quality and Accreditation as Gateways to Global Markets
Quality compliance was another critical area addressed during the conclave.
Dr. Bhumi Rajyaguru, Joint Director, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), Quality Council of India, addressed participants on “Navigating NABL Accreditation for Global Market Entry.”
The session highlighted the importance of internationally recognised testing, certification and conformity assessment systems for Indian companies seeking acceptance in overseas markets. For exporters, demonstrating that products meet recognised international standards can be a decisive factor in gaining the confidence of global buyers and regulators.
Trade Agreements and the New Export Paradigm
The changing landscape of international trade agreements also formed part of the conclave’s agenda.
Ankit Majmudar, Founder & CEO, Global Business Solutions and AMA EXIM Faculty, conducted a masterclass titled “The New Trade Paradigm: How Recent FTAs Level the Playing Field for Indian Businesses.”
The session examined the growing relevance of Free Trade Agreements and how Indian businesses can make more effective use of preferential market access created through such agreements.
For exporters, understanding rules of origin, tariff benefits, market-specific requirements and the practical implications of FTAs is increasingly important as India seeks to expand its global trade relationships.
ODOP Connects District Strengths with Global Demand
Running alongside the conclave, the One District One Product (ODOP) Exhibition provided a platform for showcasing district-level products and connecting local capabilities with wider market opportunities.
The ODOP initiative seeks to identify, brand and promote products from districts across India, while supporting activities such as capacity building, e-commerce onboarding, exhibitions and international buyer-seller engagements.
The exhibition at Vadodara complemented the broader objectives of the EXIM Conclave by bringing the district-level production ecosystem into the conversation on exports and global market access.
A Broader Vision for Vadodara’s Export Future
The two-day programme demonstrated that strengthening exports is no longer limited to increasing production. It requires a coordinated ecosystem involving quality standards, market intelligence, trade agreements, logistics, digital platforms, technology and institutional support.
For Vadodara, with its strong engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing base, the opportunity lies in translating its industrial strengths into greater international market penetration.
EXIM Conclave 2026 @ Vadodara consequently emerged as more than a trade conference. It provided a platform for industry and institutions to discuss how the city and its surrounding industrial clusters can build stronger connections with global markets.
As Gujarat continues to expand its role in India’s international trade ambitions, initiatives that bring exporters, MSMEs, industry bodies and trade experts together could play an important role in turning regional industrial strengths into globally competitive businesses.
