Commerce Ministry Reconstitutes Board of Trade: 40 New Non-Official Members Appointed to Advise on Export and Trade Policy [Read Notification]

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reconstituted the Board of Trade (BOT), inducting 40 new non‑official members from diverse sectors to strengthen India’s trade policy framework and export strategy.

This announcement, announced through Notification No. 18/2026‑2027 by the Directorate General of  Foreign Trade (DGFT), supersedes the earlier 2022 notification that had appointed 29 members.

The BOT, originally formed in 2019 by merging the Council for Trade Development and Promotion with the Board of Trade, serves as a high‑level advisory body to the government on foreign trade matters. The latest expansion aims to bring broader industry representation and regional perspectives into national trade deliberations.

The newly nominated members include prominent figures such as Ms. Sunita Ramnathkar (IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Shri Anish Shah (Mahindra & Mahindra), Shri Shridhar Vembu (Zoho Corporation), Shri Satish Reddy (Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories), Shri Rajiv Memani (EY India), and the Presidents of ICAI, ICSI, and ICMAI, among others.

The list reflects participation from manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, logistics, finance, and professional services.

According to the notification, the Terms of Reference for the non‑official members include advising the government on export promotion measures, reviewing sectoral performance, identifying infrastructure gaps, and helping States and Union Territories align their export strategies with the National Foreign Trade Policy.

The BOT will also serve as a platform for States to voice trade‑related concerns and for the Centre to share global developments that impact India’s trade potential.

As per the notification, the reconstituted Board will play a pivotal role in enhancing India’s international competitiveness, streamlining trade procedures, and facilitating district‑level export initiatives under the District Export Hub program.

The notification was signed by Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade and Ex officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

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