Meghalaya pitches export-ready MSMEs to global buyers at Shillong meet

Meghalaya opened its largest export-focused engagement to date on February 3, bringing international buyers face to face with local manufacturers as the Reverse Buyer–Seller Meet (RBSM) 2026 began at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.

The two-day event has drawn buyers from 15 countries and more than 300 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the state, marking a push to convert Meghalaya’s niche products into sustained export orders rather than one-off transactions.

A key development at the meet was the rollout of a unified export identity, MeghaRise, alongside the launch of a state-level MSME portal. The digital platform is designed to streamline registrations, improve access to schemes and simplify export-related compliance, addressing long-standing bottlenecks faced by small enterprises entering overseas markets.

Unlike conventional trade fairs, the RBSM format prioritises pre-arranged, one-to-one business meetings. Export-ready sellers, all of whom have completed mandatory documentation, began structured negotiations with buyers immediately after the opening session, placing commercial outcomes at the centre of the programme.

Buyers from markets including Canada, Australia, South Africa, Turkey and Sri Lanka are engaging with enterprises spanning handloom and handicrafts, bamboo and cane products, agro and food processing, spices, honey, herbal and wellness goods, pottery and wood-based crafts. Over 125 exhibition stalls are showcasing production processes through live demonstrations, allowing buyers to assess scale, quality and consistency.

Officials said the focus is on positioning Meghalaya as a premium supplier, particularly in high-curcumin Lakadong turmeric, organic honey and value-added agricultural products, rather than competing on volume. The state is banking on its organic cultivation practices and natural resources to secure higher margins in global niche markets.

The meet is being held with support from national export bodies and international development partners, reflecting a broader effort to integrate the Northeast more firmly into India’s export economy. Dedicated networking and sector-specific sessions over the next two days are expected to shape long-term supply partnerships, a shift that policymakers see as critical to translating local enterprise into sustainable export growth.