Made in Punjab, Certified for the World: Empowering MSMEs, Accelerating Exports

The Punjab Government, through its Department of Industries & Commerce, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Test House (NTH) to establish world-class testing and certification facilities directly within Punjab’s major industrial hubs. Announced by Industries & Commerce Minister Aman Arora, the initiative is designed to lower compliance costs, shorten product turnaround times, and boost global competitiveness for local MSMEs and exporters.

Key Highlights & Strategic Details

1. Project Location & MoU Details

• MoU Exchange: Exchanged during NTH’s 115th Foundation Day celebrations in Bengaluru between Director of Industries & Commerce, Punjab (Jaspreet Singh) and Director General of NTH (Dr. Alok Kumar Srivastava).
• Facility Location: A state-of-the-art NTH laboratory will be established at the Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) in Jalandhar.
• Target Hubs Served: Strategically situated to provide direct support to the primary industrial centers of Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Amritsar.

2. Sectors & Capabilities Covered

Key Focus Industries: Sports goods, textiles, leather, hand tools, auto components, and food processing.
 

Advanced Testing Domains: Leverages NTH's expanded expertise in high-tech fields, including:

• Drone certification
• Electric Vehicle (EV) battery testing
• Organic food testing

3. Key Benefits for Local MSMEs & Exporters

• Reduced Compliance Costs: Saves logistics and operational costs by eliminating the need to send samples outside the state for testing.
• Faster Market Readiness: Shortens product development cycles and accelerates national/international certification.
• Export Competitiveness: Helps local enterprises meet stringent global quality standards, positioning Punjab as a preferred hub for globally competitive manufacturing.