India has launched seven key measures under the ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to strengthen MSMEs, digital exporters, and new market expansion from 2025–26 to 2030–31. The initiative consolidates multiple export-support schemes into a unified, technology-driven framework, easing procedures, improving credit access, and reducing logistical barriers.
Key interventions include dedicated credit facilities for e-commerce exporters, export factoring support, compliance cost reimbursement under TRACE, and logistics and warehousing support via FLOW and LIFT programmes. The INSIGHT programme aids market intelligence and district-level facilitation. With 10 of 11 interventions operational, EPM aims to boost exports, foster investment in AI, data centres, machine learning, quantum computing, and indigenous language models, enhancing India’s global trade competitiveness.
India has announced a comprehensive set of seven measures under the ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to strengthen outbound trade, with a clear emphasis on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), digital exporters, and new market expansion. The initiative, introduced in the Union Budget 2025–26 and unveiled by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, aims to consolidate multiple export-support schemes into a unified, technology-driven framework over six years. By simplifying procedures and reducing financial and logistical barriers, the mission seeks to make exporting more accessible, competitive, and inclusive.
Emphasising India’s ongoing economic transformation, CIM Piyush Goyal noted that the collective energy and scale of 1.4 billion people underpin the country’s bold push to accelerate exports. He stated that the mission is intended to create a platform for rapid and inclusive growth, opening new opportunities for entrepreneurs and young professionals while strengthening India’s position in global trade. It is designed not only to expand export volumes but also to ensure that benefits reach districts and sectors beyond traditional export hubs.
The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a five-year programme, spanning 2025-26 to 2030-31, approved by the Union cabinet to strengthen India’s export ecosystem. The mission aims to ease procedures for MSMEs, improve access to affordable credit, raise quality standards, support compliance with global regulations, and expand international logistics and warehousing networks. Projects such as overseas warehousing facilities, including Bharat Mart in Dubai, are designed to provide Indian exporters strategic gateways to key markets across the GCC, Africa, Central Asia and Europe.
It follows a holistic ecosystem approach by integrating financial support under “Niryat Protsahan” with broader trade facilitation measures under “Niryat Disha”, all delivered through a unified, digitally monitored framework to ensure efficiency and transparency. (Out of the total ₹25,060 crore allocation, ₹10,400 crore has been designated for Niryat Protsahan (export promotion), while ₹14,660 crore has been set aside for Niryat Disha (export direction)).
The initiative is being implemented by the Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, EXIM Bank, CGTMSE, NCGTC, regulated lenders, Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils and industry stakeholders.
A central component of the EPM is enhanced credit support for digital exporters. With cross-border e-commerce emerging as a major growth avenue, the government has introduced two dedicated credit facilities.
The Direct E-Commerce Credit Facility offers up to ₹50 lakh in financing, backed by a 90% guarantee, enabling small exporters to access capital more easily.
The Overseas Inventory Credit Facility provides up to ₹5 crore with 75% guarantee coverage and an interest subvention of 2.75%, capped at ₹15 lakh annually. This facility supports exporters in maintaining inventory abroad, strengthening their ability to fulfil international orders efficiently. Together, these measures aim to improve liquidity, reduce financing constraints, and empower Indian online sellers to compete globally.
To address persistent working capital challenges faced by MSMEs, the mission introduces affordable export factoring support. Export factoring allows businesses to convert invoices into immediate cash, easing liquidity pressures. Under the scheme, a 2.75% interest subvention will be provided on export factoring transactions undertaken through RBI- or IFSCA-recognised entities. Assistance is capped at ₹50 lakh per MSME annually and will be processed digitally to ensure transparency and speed. This approach enables smaller firms to manage cash flows effectively without depending solely on conventional loans.
The mission also focuses on expanding India’s presence in new and high-risk markets. The government will assist exporters seeking to expand into new or high-risk markets by facilitating instruments such as confirmed Letters of Credit and Credit Enhancement Schemes to reduce financial uncertainty. These safeguards reduce exposure to defaults and encourage firms to diversify export destinations beyond established markets.
Compliance with international standards remains a significant cost burden, particularly for smaller exporters. To address this, the Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE) programme offers reimbursement for testing, inspection, and certification expenses. Exporters are eligible for 60% reimbursement under the Positive List and 75% under the Priority Positive List, subject to an annual ceiling of ₹25 lakh per entity. By easing compliance costs, TRACE helps Indian businesses meet global quality benchmarks and improve competitiveness of Indian products in overseas markets.
Logistics and warehousing support constitute another major pillar of the EPM. Through the Facilitating Logistics, Overseas Warehousing and Fulfilment (FLOW) programme, exporters will be able to utilise overseas warehousing and fulfilment facilities, including e-commerce export hubs integrated with international distribution networks. The government will provide up to 30% support for approved project costs over three years, subject to MSME participation norms. This initiative is expected to minimise transit delays, enhance delivery reliability, and bring down overall logistics expenses.
Recognising the geographical disadvantages faced by businesses in remote and hilly regions, the Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport (LIFT) initiative offers targeted assistance. Exporters in northeastern and landlocked hill states will receive reimbursement of up to 30% of eligible freight expenses, capped at ₹20 lakh per IEC per financial year. This measure seeks to offset higher transportation costs and ensure that businesses in these regions can compete on equal terms.
The mission further introduces the INSIGHT programme. It strengthens exporter capacity-building, district and cluster-level facilitation under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, and development of trade intelligence systems. INSIGHT provides financial assistance covering 50% of project costs, and up to 100% for proposals submitted by Central and State Government institutions and Indian Missions abroad, subject to notified ceilings. The programme supports market research, trade intelligence, and facilitation services, enabling exporters to make informed decisions and expand strategically.
Notably, three interventions — Market Access Support, Interest Subvention for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit, and Collateral Support for Export Credit — are already being implemented. With the rollout of the latest measures, 10 of the 11 proposed interventions under the Export Promotion Mission are now in effect.
The initiative is set to catalyse fresh investment across advanced technology sectors — from data centres and artificial intelligence to machine learning, quantum computing, and the creation of indigenous large language models — building on India’s strong base of skilled talent. By aligning these measures, the government seeks to bring down capital costs, improve exporters’ compliance capacity, resolve logistical challenges, and expand India’s competitiveness in international trade.
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