Rs. 25,060 crore Export Promotion Mission Spread Over Next Six Years Approved by Cabinet, Outlay to Replace Cash Strapped MAI of Commerce Ministry

·         Rs. 4,200 Crs per year is Pittance Compared to 50K Crs in MEIS or 20K Crs in Substitute RoDTEP

·         Export Promotion Mission (EPM) has been approved with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31 to boost India’s export ecosystem, especially supporting MSMEs, new exporters, and labour-intensive sectors.

·         EPM merges key existing schemes, such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme and Market Access Initiative, to ensure alignment with modern trade needs.

·         EPM shifts from fragmented export support schemes to a comprehensive, adaptive, and digitally managed framework, allowing swift response to global trade challenges.

·         DGFT instead of DoC will oversee implementation; all processes will be handled through an integrated digital platform.

·         The Mission will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, export councils, financial institutions, state governments, and industry associations.

·         Two sub-schemes under EPM:

o    NIRYAT PROTSAHAN: Focuses on providing accessible trade finance to MSMEs (e.g., interest subvention, export factoring, credit cards for e-commerce, credit guarantees).

o    NIRYAT DISHA: Focuses on non-financial support like quality compliance, international branding, trade fairs, warehousing, logistics, inland transport reimbursements, trade intelligence, and capacity building.

·         The Mission targets longstanding export barriers:

o    Limited/expensive trade finance

o    High cost of international compliance

o    Weak export branding and fragmented access

o    Logistical disadvantages for remote exporters

·         Sectors like textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering, and marine products will receive priority, especially those affected by recent global tariff hikes, to support jobs and market diversification.

·         Expected outcomes:

o    Improved trade finance access for MSMEs

o    Better export readiness and certification compliance

o    Enhanced visibility and market access for Indian products

o    Growth of exports from new districts and sectors

o    Increased jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and allied areas

·         EPM is designed to make India’s export system inclusive, technology-driven, and globally competitive, in line with the “Viksit Bharat @2047” vision.

 

[ABS News Service/13.11.2025]

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) — a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors.

The Mission will provide a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, with a total outlay of Rs.25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31. EPM marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome-based, and adaptive mechanism that can respond swiftly to global trade challenges and evolving exporter needs.

 EPM is anchored in a collaborative framework involving the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders including Financial Institutions, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, industry associations, and state governments.

The Mission will operate through two integrated sub-schemes:

·         NIRYAT PROTSAHAN – focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs through a range of instruments such as interest subvention, export factoring, collateral guarantees, credit cards for e-commerce exporters, and credit enhancement support for diversification into new markets.

·         NIRYAT DISHA – focuses on non-financial enablers that enhance market readiness and competitiveness, including export quality and compliance support, assistance for international branding, packaging, and participation in trade fairs, export warehousing and logistics, inland transport reimbursements, and trade intelligence and capacity-building initiatives.

EPM consolidates key export support schemes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI), aligning them with contemporary trade needs.

The Mission is designed to directly address structural challenges that constrain Indian exports, including:

·         limited and expensive trade finance access,

·         high cost of compliance with international export standards,

·         inadequate export branding and fragmented market access, and

·         logistical disadvantages for exporters in interior and low-export-intensity regions.

Under EPM, priority support will be extended to sectors impacted by recent global tariff escalations, such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. The interventions will help sustain export orders, protect jobs, and support diversification into new geographies.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will act as the implementing agency, with all processes — from application to disbursal — being managed through a dedicated digital platform integrated with existing trade systems.

The Mission is expected to:

·         facilitate access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs,

·         enhance export readiness through compliance and certification support,

·         improve market access and visibility for Indian products,

·         boost exports from non-traditional districts and sectors, and

·         generate employment across manufacturing, logistics, and allied services.

EPM represents a forward-looking effort to make India’s export framework more inclusive, technology-enabled, and globally competitive, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.