Major Initiatives as Minister of Commerce and Industry

Led the ministry to achieve historic jump in Ease of Doing Business Rankings by the World Bank. India jumped 30 points to break into Top 100 for the first time ever

Index of Eight Core Industries rose 5.2% in Sep’17 against Sep’16 and against cumulative growth of 3.3% in Apr-Sep’17 under his leadership

Led the 11th Trade Policy Forum (TPF) discussions with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and his team on bilateral trade between the two countries, areas of mutual cooperation, market access in agriculture, non-agricultural goods and services and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Strongly took up the Indian concern with regard to problems faced by Indian services companies in obtaining H-1B and L-1 visas

Led a successful trade mission to US, Cuba and Panama

Facilitated a MoU between Federation of Indian Export Organizations and Panama Chambers of Commerce

Worked on giving boost to exports which led to a growth of 25.67% in merchandise exports in Sep’17 against Sep’16 with all top ten commodities exhibiting positive growth

Led Indian delegation to “Make in India: Sweden 2017” event aimed at enhancing Indo-Swedish cooperation and explore new areas of partnership.Held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Stefan Löfven to further strengthen the Indo-Swedish economic relationship and explore new avenues of collaboration

Represented India at the Informal WTO Ministerial Gathering in Marrakesh, Morocco and led discussions on behalf of the developing world ,reiterated commitment to the Doha Round.Emphasized on a permanent solution to the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes and the importance of special and differential treatment for developing countries

Held a Stakeholders’ Consultation with leading Exporters, Export Promotion Councils, Associations and Local Chambers with a view to give a fillip to the export sector

Represented India at the Ministerial Level to review the India – Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Represented India at the 7th Asia-Europe (ASEM) Economic Ministers meeting

Finalised trade Agreement between India and Ethiopia for strengthening and promoting trade and economic co-operation which stands approved by the Cabinet