PATNA, Nov. 25 -- Newly-appointed industries minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal has announced the state government's plans to establish district-level export processing units across Bihar, in his bid to transform the state into an export powerhouse, Talking to HT over the phone from Deoghar, Jaiswal emphasised that these units will focus on promoting high-value local products such as Makhna (fox nuts), Shahi litchi and its byproducts, silk products and cotton fabrics, enabling entrepreneurs to process and ship goods locally without the logistical hassles of traveling to Delhi or Kolkata. "We are spreading an industrial web across Bihar, and the roadmap will be ready in just one month," Jaiswal declared, aligning with the NDA government's vision to foster rapid industrialisation and youth employment. The initiative, he added, will leverage Bihar's rich agricultural and handicraft heritage to boost global competitiveness. "Entrepreneurs have long faced extra trouble and costs in processing exports from distant hubs. These district units will eliminate that, making Bihar a self-reliant export engine." Central to the plan is the recently operationalised dry port at Bihta, which Jaiswal described as the "nerve center" for export processing. Inaugurated in October last year, the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Bihta offers integrated logistics, including warehousing, customs clearance and multi-modal transport connectivity to major ports like Kolkata, Haldia and Mundra. "The Bihta dry port will act as a hub for processing exports, reducing turnaround times and costs by up to 30-40% for local producers," Jaiswal stated. The facility's first consignment-leather footwear to Russia - has already marked a milestone, signalling its potential to handle diverse cargo from agriculture to textiles. This push comes at a critical juncture for Bihar's economy. Despite contributing over 85% of India's Makhana production from districts like Darbhanga and being a top grower of Shahi litchi in Muzaffarpur, the state's overall exports remain modest. According to data from the Export-Import Bank of India and state agricultural reports, Bihar's total exports stood at approximately Rs.2,671 crore in agricultural commodities as of 2021, with key items including litchi, Katarni rice, Jardalu mango and vegetables. By 2024-25, Makhana exports from India alone surged to 25,130 metric tons valued at Rs.255 crore, a 27% year-on-year growth, driven by demand in the US, UAE, UK and Canada-markets where Bihar-sourced products dominate due to their GI-tagged authenticity. Bihar currently accounts for just 0.52% of India's total exports, ranking 22nd in NITI Aayog's Export Index, with Begusarai leading district-wise contributions. However, products like Bhagalpuri silk and cotton fabrics from eastern districts have untapped potential, often bottlenecked by inadequate local infrastructure. The minister highlighted that the district units, combined with the National Makhana Board established in the 2025 Union Budget (with Rs.100 crore allocation), will streamline value addition, marketing and GI promotion for over 30 indigenous items, including Madhubani paintings and Sikki arts. "Semiconductors and other water-intensive industries also fit Bihar's abundant resources - we're exploring every avenue for diverse investments," Jaiswal noted, referencing the state's 15,000-acre land bank and improved air and road connectivity....