New Delhi, February 23. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized on Monday that quality must become the cornerstone of India’s manufacturing and export systems to achieve long-term economic goals. Speaking virtually at the inaugural National Quality Conclave organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Quality Council of India (QCI), Goyal highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Zero Defect, Zero Effect’ vision as the guiding principle for India’s development journey during Amrit Kaal.
This vision, he said, is essential to realizing the dream of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. ‘India cannot progress merely as a consumer nation,’ Goyal asserted. ‘We must transform into a global manufacturer of high-quality products and services. Brand India should symbolize reliability, trust, and excellence.’
To meet the ambitious target of $2 trillion in exports over the next six to seven years—$1 trillion from goods and $1 trillion from services—Indian products must meet global standards, the minister stressed. He noted that in the past three to three-and-a-half years, India has signed nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 38 developed countries, covering nearly two-thirds of global GDP and trade.
These agreements open new doors for sectors like textiles, leather, footwear, and pharmaceuticals. However, to fully capitalize on these markets, Indian companies must consistently maintain high quality. Despite labor-intensive capacities, India’s share in global trade remains limited, Goyal pointed out.
Urging the industry to leverage better market access, he called for ensuring that products sold domestically match the quality of those exported. ‘There was a time when consumers demanded ‘export quality’ products,’ he recalled. ‘Now, we must eliminate dual quality standards and adopt uniform benchmarks for domestic and international markets.’
Goyal’s remarks underscore a strategic shift towards quality-driven growth, positioning India as a competitive global player. As the nation strides towards 2047, embedding quality in every facet of production will be key to sustainable success.