Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry addressed measures taken to improve transparency and ease of compliance in the export system, particularly for MSMEs and agro-based product exporters. Initiatives include digital reforms by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Trade Connect e-Platform, and the Niryat Bandhu Scheme. These efforts aim to reduce manual intervention, enhance access to international markets, and support new and small exporters.
Key Points / Main Content:
Digital Reforms by DGFT:
* The DGFT portal enables online application and approval for Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) benefits such as Advance Authorisation, Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), and Status Holder certification.
* Integration with ICEGATE, GSTN, MCA, and PFMS streamlines data validation and processing.
* Self-certification mechanism for eBRCs and digitized eCertificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) system with real-time authentication, QR codes, and Aadhaar-based e-signatures.
Trade Connect e-Platform:
* A one-stop interface (https:www.trade.gov.in) for trade queries and enhanced access to international markets.
* Features include information on Trade Agreements, a Tariff Explorer, Country and Product Guides, a Global eCommerce Guide, and Trade Events Worldwide.
* Includes EXIM Paathshaala learning modules, "Ask an Expert" feature, "Source from India" tool, and a unified Certificate of Origin issuance system.
Grievance Redressal and Stakeholder Interaction:
* JanSunwai facility provides on-demand video conferencing between exporters and government officials.
* Ensures real-time grievance handling, direct access to officers, and transparency through audit trails.
Export Promotion Schemes and MSME Support:
* Benefits under Chapters 4 and 5 of FTP 2023 are available to all eligible exporters, including small businesses, third-party exporters, and merchant exporters.
* Reduced application fees for MSMEs applying for benefits under export promotion schemes like Advance Authorisation and EPCG.
Niryat Bandhu Scheme:
* Provides expert guidance, mentorship, and handholding support to new and small exporters.
* Aims to facilitate entry into international trade and enhance India's export competitiveness.
Support for Agro-Based Product Exporters:
* Developing District as Export Hub Initiative identifies products/services with export potential in all districts, including agricultural clusters.
* State Export Promotion Committees (SEPC) and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPC) support export promotion and address bottlenecks at the state/UT and district levels.
Impact Analysis:
Exporters (including MSMEs, Small Businesses, Third-Party Exporters, Merchant Exporters, and Agro-Based Product Exporters):
* Impact: Enhanced transparency, reduced compliance burden, improved access to international markets, and increased support through various schemes and platforms.
* Action Required: Utilize the DGFT portal, Trade Connect e-Platform, and Niryat Bandhu Scheme; explore benefits under FTP 2023; engage with SEPCs and DEPCs.
Government Officials (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, DGFT):
* Impact: Implementation and monitoring of digital reforms, managing the Trade Connect e-Platform, and providing support through the Niryat Bandhu Scheme and JanSunwai facility.
* Action Required: Ensure effective operation of digital platforms, provide timely responses to exporter queries, and actively promote export-oriented initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for implementing foreign trade policy and promoting exports.
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP): A set of guidelines and procedures established by the government to regulate and promote international trade.
Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG): A scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy that allows exporters to import capital goods at zero or concessional duty.
Erode, Tamil Nadu: A district in Tamil Nadu, India, identified as an agro-focused region for export promotion.
Niryat Bandhu Scheme: A DGFT outreach initiative to support new and small exporters through guidance, mentorship, and handholding.
Trade Connect e-Platform: An online platform launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to provide exporters with trade-related information and access to international markets.
Developing District as Export Hub Initiative: An initiative under Chapter 3 of FTP 2023 that identifies products and services with export potential in all districts of the country.
MSMEs: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises that benefit from the export initiatives.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1534
ANSWERED ON 29/07/2025
EASE OF COMPLIANCE IN EXPORT SYSTEM
1534. SHRI K E PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any measures to improve transparency and ease of
compliance in the export system, especially in view of the growing focus on value addition
across sectors;
(b) whether specific steps have been initiated to facilitate small businesses with minimal
capital to expand their distribution reach through third-party exporters or merchant exporters;
(c) if so, the details of such initiatives, including any simplified procedures, incentives or
digital platforms designed to support these businesses; and
(d) whether there are any specific initiatives to promote the export of agro-based products,
particularly to facilitate exporters in agro-focused regions such as Erode and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (c) The Government has undertaken several initiatives to promote transparency,
foster ease of compliance in the export system and to facilitate exports, especially from MSMEs
and small businesses with minimal capital. These include the following:
(i) Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce &
Industry, has introduced multiple digital reforms to simplify and modernize foreign trade
processes. The DGFT portal enables seamless online application and approval for various
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) benefits, including Advance Authorisation, Export Promotion
Capital Goods (EPCG), and Status Holder certification. The portal is integrated with ICEGATE,
GSTN, MCA, and PFMS for efficient data validation and processing.
(ii) Other key initiatives taken by DGFT include the self-certification mechanism for eBRCs,
and the digitized e-Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) system, enabling real-time authentication
1and reducing manual burden. The revamped e-Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 system,
operational for both Preferential and Non-Preferential CoOs, enables end-to-end digital issuance
with QR code and Aadhaar-based e-signatures. It connects exporters with issuing agencies and
chambers of commerce on a single online platform, thereby improving authentication and service
delivery.
(iii) In order to assist Indian exporters, the Ministry has also launched the Trade Connect
ePlatform (https://www.trade.gov.in/), as one-stop interface for addressing trade queries and
enhancing access to international markets. Key features of the ePlatform include information
about the Trade Agreements and provision of a Tariff Explorer to assess FTA benefits, Country
and Product Guides for market access and compliance insights, Global e-Commerce Guide, and
information on Trade Events Worldwide. Additionally, the platform hosts EXIM Paathshaala
(learning modules), the “Ask an Expert” feature for resolving trade-related queries, the “Source
from India” discovery tool for foreign buyers in order to connect to verified Indian exporters, and
the unified Certificate of Origin issuance system for Indian exporters.
(iv) Further, in order to strengthen stakeholder interaction, the Ministry has operationalized
the Jan-Sunwai facility, a digital grievance redressal platform that provides on-demand video
conferencing between exporters and government officials. The system ensures real-time
grievance handling, direct access to officers, and promotes transparency through audit trails.
(v) Further, benefits of availing export promotion schemes under Chapters 4 and 5 of the
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 are available to all eligible exporters, including small
businesses, third-party exporters, and merchant exporters. Therefore, in order to promote
inclusive access and ease of compliance for such entities, the Government has introduced several
supportive measures such as reduced application fees for MSMEs applying for benefits under
export promotion schemes viz. Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods
(EPCG).
(vi) The Niryat Bandhu Scheme, a flagship outreach initiative by DGFT, is designed to
support and empower new and small exporters by providing them with expert guidance,
mentorship, and handholding support throughout their export journey. This scheme aims to
facilitate their entry into the international trade and enhance India's overall export
competitiveness.
These initiatives have enhanced accessibility for small exporters while reducing procedural
burdens and manual intervention.
(d) The Government has taken measures to improve ease of compliance in the export system
for all types of exporters, including exporters in agro-focused regions such as Erode. Developing
District as Export Hub Initiative under Chapter 3 of FTP 2023 identifies the products/services
(including GI products, agricultural clusters and toy clusters) with export potential in all the
districts of the country. Institutional mechanism in the form of State Export Promotion
Committees (SEPC) at State/UT level and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) at the
district level has been created in all districts of the country to provide support for export
promotion and address the bottlenecks for export growth in the districts.
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