India launches ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission to boost competitiveness, support MSMEs

By Admin

08 Dec, 2025

In a transformative move to enhance India’s export strength and support small businesses, the government has launched the Export Promotion Mission (EPM)   a unified framework approved under the Union Budget 2025–26. Designed to simplify and streamline assistance for exporters, the Mission brings multiple standalone schemes under one predictable and mission-mode system, significantly improving ease of access for MSMEs and first-time exporters.

A Major Boost with ₹25,060 Crore Outlay

The Export Promotion Mission carries a substantial ₹25,060 crore outlay for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. The initiative focuses on three core areas:
• Strengthening trade finance
• Enhancing market readiness
• Boosting regional and sectoral competitiveness

Its launch comes at a crucial time when exporters continue to face challenges such as high credit costs, strict global quality benchmarks, logistics inefficiencies, and volatile global trade conditions.

Coordinated Framework for Export Growth

While India has long implemented programmes like interest-equalisation and market-access schemes, their effectiveness has often been diluted due to scattered implementation. EPM aims to fix this by creating an integrated governance structure led by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

A dedicated digital platform by DGFT will streamline applications, approvals, monitoring, and fund disbursal ensuring transparency and real-time tracking. The mission will bring together efforts from multiple agencies, including the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, state governments, Export Promotion Councils, and financial institutions.

Two Key Pillars: Niryat Protsahan & Niryat Disha

The EPM is built on two comprehensive components:

Niryat Protsahan (Financial Support):
• Interest subvention
• Export factoring
• Deep-tier financing
• Credit enhancement mechanisms

This pillar directly supports exporters with improved access to affordable finance and structured credit solutions.

Niryat Disha (Non-Financial Support):
• Testing & certification services
• Branding & packaging assistance
• Support for participation in national & international trade fairs
• Logistics facilitation
• District-level export capacity–building

This component aims to enhance exporters’ preparedness, global positioning, and operational efficiency.

Additional Credit Measures to Strengthen Exporters

To complement the Mission, the government has expanded the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters, providing an additional ₹20,000 crore in credit support. The scheme now offers 100% credit guarantee coverage, enabling MSMEs to secure collateral-free working capital  a major relief for small exporters.

In November 2025, the Reserve Bank of India announced Trade Relief Measures, which include:
• Moratoriums on loan repayments
• Extended credit tenures
• Flexible working-capital norms
• Regulatory forbearance
• Relaxed FEMA timelines for export realisation

These measures are expected to provide breathing room to exporters during market fluctuations.

A Unified Push Toward Global Competitiveness

By consolidating fiscal incentives, digital governance, financial tools, and regulatory flexibility into a single mission-mode structure, the EPM represents a holistic upgrade to India’s export ecosystem. As noted in the official release, the unified system is set to enhance India’s competitiveness in global markets.

The Mission is expected to:
• Accelerate India’s export growth
• Strengthen manufacturing and MSME capabilities
• Improve participation in global value chains
• Simplify export processes and compliance

With the Export Promotion Mission, India is positioning itself for a new era of export-driven economic expansion, empowering businesses of all sizes to compete confidently on the global stage.