Export Promotion Mission
Recently, the union cabinet has approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) which was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.
About Export Promotion Mission
The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is an initiative by the Indian government to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exports, particularly focusing on MSMEs and labor-intensive sectors. Approved with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore for six years (FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31), it aims to consolidate various export support programs into a unified and adaptable mechanism.
Core Features
- Financial Outlay and Duration: The EPM has a budget of ₹25,060 crore for six financial years (FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31).
- Two Integrated Sub-Schemes: The mission operates through two pillars:
- Niryat Protsahan (Export Promotion): Focuses on financial support like interest subvention, export factoring, and credit guarantees for MSMEs, including credit cards for e-commerce exporters.
- Niryat Disha (Export Direction): Provides non-financial support for market readiness, including assistance for international branding, trade fairs, logistics, and compliance with international standards.
- Consolidation of Schemes: The EPM combines existing export support schemes like the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI) into a unified framework.
- Targeted Beneficiaries: It prioritizes MSMEs, new exporters, and labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products.
- Digital and Flexible Framework: The mission utilizes a digital platform managed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to adapt to changing global trade conditions.
- Collaborative Approach: The EPM involves multiple government departments, financial institutions, and industry bodies to ensure a coordinated strategy.
- Addressing Structural Challenges: The mission aims to resolve issues like the cost of trade finance, compliance expenses, branding, and logistics bottlenecks.
Key Objectives
- To strengthen the export competitiveness of Indian exporters in the face of global trade challenges.
- To provide targeted support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- To consolidate existing support programs like the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI).
- To generate employment across related sectors.
Way Forward
- Strengthen trade finance by ensuring timely and affordable credit access for MSMEs, leveraging digital platforms.
- Enhance market intelligence capabilities to identify and penetrate new export markets using data-driven mechanisms.
- Promote the "Brand India" image through global marketing, improved packaging, and enhanced e-commerce support.
- Address structural bottlenecks such as inadequate logistics infrastructure and reduce compliance burdens for exporters.
- Leverage free trade agreements (FTAs) and upcoming trade deals to expand market access and diversify export destinations.
- Adopt a sector-specific approach with set export targets monitored by relevant ministries, ensuring focused growth.
Conclusion
The Export Promotion Mission marks a decisive and strategic shift from fragmented schemes to a unified, outcome-based export support mechanism aimed at bolstering India’s export resilience amid rising global protectionism and tariff barriers. It signifies a policy move towards sustainable, competitive, and inclusive export growth, supporting employment and helping diversify Indian exports into new geographies. By simplifying access to trade finance and improving export readiness, EPM positions India’s exports on a stronger footing for global challenges ahead, thus contributing significantly to the goal of expanding India’s export footprint and economic growth.
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