Parliament Question: Export of Tribal Manufactured Goods

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1687 ANSWERED ON 10/02/2026 EXPORT OF TRIBAL MANUFACTURED GOODS 1687. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken or is planning to take initiatives to boost the exports of goods manufactured by tribal people, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Ministry has any data regarding export of goods made in tribal areas; (c) if so, the currency value of goods exported and major types of goods being exported; and (d) whether any initiatives have been taken to make it convenient for tribal entrepreneurs to access credit and investor networks specific to the State of Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) The Government of India continues to monitor and take initiatives to promote India’s exports. The details of initiatives taken in this regard are as follows:- A. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), under Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing “Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission” (PMJVM) scheme. Under PMJVM, TRIFED is engaged in marketing, providing infrastructure development, research and development, etc. for tribal products. It is also taking initiatives for promoting tribal products in international markets by setting up ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Corners’ in Indian embassies and consulates across more than 65 countries. TRIFED has been organizing promotional events with Indian missions in other countries. B. Further, the Department of Commerce is actively engaged with all stakeholders — including State Governments, Exporters, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Industry, Traders, Manufacturers to boost exports. Following export promotion initiatives have been taken by the Government to boost India’s exports : i. New Foreign Trade Policy was launched on 31st March, 2023 and it came into effect from 1st April, 2023. ii. Export Promotion Mission (EPM): The Mission will provide a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, with a total outlay 1of Rs. 25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31. EPM marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome- based, and adaptive mechanism that can respond swiftly to global trade challenges and evolving exporter needs. The Mission will operate through two integrated sub- schemes: a. NIRYAT PROTSAHAN – focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs through a range of instruments such as interest subvention, export factoring, collateral guarantees, credit cards for e- commerce exporters, and credit enhancement support for diversification into new markets. b. NIRYAT DISHA – focuses on non-financial enablers that enhance market readiness and competitiveness, including export quality and compliance support, assistance for international branding, packaging, and participation in trade fairs, export warehousing and logistics, inland transport reimbursements, and trade intelligence and capacity-building initiatives. The Mission is designed to directly address structural challenges that constrain Indian exports, including:  limited and expensive trade finance access,  high cost of compliance with international export standards,  inadequate export branding and fragmented market access, and  logistical disadvantages for exporters in interior and low-export intensity regions. iii. Assistance provided through several schemes to promote exports, namely, Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES). iv. Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) Scheme to promote labour oriented sector export has been implemented since 07.03.2019. v. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme has been implemented since 01.01.2021. vi. Leveraging Free Trade Agreements: The Government aims for promotion of Export Diversification and has signed 15 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and 6 Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with its trading partners. Government is working with all stakeholders to enable our exporters to better utilize the benefits of India’s FTAs with major markets such as Japan, Korea, UAE etc. and effectively utilize the opportunities that have been created with the recent concluded FTAs such as with the EFTA countries, UK, Oman and New Zealand. The Government has also recently signed India- EU FTA also. vii. Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and increase Free Trade Agreement (FTA) utilization by exporters. viii. Districts as Export Hubs initiative has been launched by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district. ix. Regular monitoring of export performance with Commercial Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards/ Authorities and Industry Associations and taking corrective measures from time to time. 2(b) and (c) India’s total merchandise exports during FY 2024-25 was USD 437.70 Billion. The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry does not maintain any specific data with respect to export of goods made in tribal areas. (d) Details of the initiatives taken to make it convenient for tribal entrepreneurs to access credit and investor networks are as follows:- 1. National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is an apex organisation set up exclusively for economic development of Scheduled Tribes. NSTFDC extends concessional loans to the eligible Scheduled Tribe persons for undertaking income generation activities/ self-employment including education loan scheme through its implementing agencies. Some of the Schemes are as under:  Term Loan Scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for viable projects costing upto ₹50.00 lakh per unit. Under the scheme, financial assistance is extended upto 90% of the cost of the project and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter contribution/ margin money.  Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): Under the scheme, NSTFDC provides loan upto 90% for projects costing upto ₹2 lakh Scheduled Tribes women.  Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups (MCF): This is an exclusive scheme for Self Help Groups for meeting small loan requirement of ST member. Under the scheme, the Corporation provides loans upto ₹50,000/- per member and maximum ₹5 lakh per Self Help Group (SHG). 2. Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters has also been approved by the Government to provide 100% credit guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for extending additional collateral free credit facilities up to Rs. 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs. The Scheme is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian exporters and support diversification into new and emerging markets. 3. ECGC Ltd. (formerly Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd.) is providing credit insurance covers to exporters against non-payment risks by the overseas buyers, empowering Indian exporters, including tribal entrepreneurs, to venture into global markets with confidence. ECGC also provides Export Credit Insurance Covers for Banks (ECIB) against risks in export credit lending to the exporter-borrowers. The ECIB covers facilitate the availability of affordable and adequate credit to the exporters. 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