Cabinet approves Export Promotion Mission to strengthen India’s export ecosystem

By Admin

13 Nov, 2025

In a major policy move to boost India’s export competitiveness and build a resilient global trade presence, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM)   a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. The Mission aims to empower India’s exporters, particularly MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors, by creating a unified and technology-driven export ecosystem.

With a total outlay of Rs. 25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, EPM marks a strategic transition from fragmented schemes to a comprehensive, outcome-based, and adaptive mechanism capable of responding swiftly to global trade dynamics and evolving exporter needs.

A collaborative and inclusive framework
EPM will be anchored through collaboration among 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. This integrated approach ensures that policy, finance, and implementation move in synergy to deliver measurable outcomes.

Two integrated sub-schemes under EPM

1. NIRYAT PROTSAHAN – This component focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs. It will include tools such as interest subvention, export factoring, collateral guarantees, credit cards for e-commerce exporters, and credit enhancement support to help businesses diversify into new markets.
   
   

2. NIRYAT DISHA – This part emphasizes non-financial enablers that improve market readiness. It will provide export quality and compliance support, assistance for international branding and packaging, participation in trade fairs, export warehousing and logistics support, inland transport reimbursements, and capacity-building initiatives to empower exporters with the right knowledge and tools.
   
   

Integration and modernization of export support schemes
The EPM consolidates key existing export support programmes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI), aligning them with the current trade environment to ensure better efficiency and impact.

Addressing structural challenges
India’s exporters often face persistent issues such as limited access to affordable trade finance, high compliance costs, inadequate export branding, and logistical disadvantages in remote regions. EPM is designed to systematically address these structural gaps by providing a digitally enabled, transparent, and responsive framework.

Priority support for key sectors
Under the Mission, priority support will be extended to sectors impacted by global tariff escalations, including textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. These interventions are expected to sustain export orders, safeguard jobs, and help Indian exporters diversify into new international markets.

Digital-first implementation
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will serve as the implementing agency. All EPM processes   from application to fund disbursal   will be managed through a dedicated digital platform integrated with India’s existing trade systems, ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Expected outcomes of EPM

• Easier access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs
  
  

• Enhanced compliance and certification support for exporters
  
  

• Improved market access and global visibility for Indian products
  
  

• Boost to exports from non-traditional districts and sectors
  
  

• Job creation across manufacturing, logistics, and allied services
  
  

The Export Promotion Mission represents a forward-looking effort to make India’s export ecosystem inclusive, technology-enabled, and globally competitive. By consolidating fragmented policies and focusing on results, EPM aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, positioning India as a leading force in global trade in the decades to come.