**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister of Commerce and Industry's response to questions regarding export promotion schemes for MSMEs. It outlines the government's initiatives, including the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs), and the Trade Connect ePlatform, aimed at addressing challenges faced by MSME exporters. The document also highlights the provision for third-party evaluations to ensure effective monitoring and transparency of the schemes. The response was issued on 02.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Export Promotion Mission (EPM):**
* Approved as a comprehensive framework to strengthen the overall export ecosystem for MSMEs.
* Provides support through NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, focusing on trade finance facilitation.
* Offers non-financial support via NIRYAT DISHA, including export-quality and compliance assistance, market-access interventions, logistics facilitation, and export ecosystem-building measures.
* **Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs):**
* 65 EFCs established by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across the country.
* Provide mentoring, handholding support, and guidance to MSMEs for export activities.
* Supported 11,222 MSMEs from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
* **Trade Connect ePlatform:**
* Launched by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as a digital interface for exporters, including MSMEs (https://trade.gov.in).
* Offers information on trade agreements, country-specific market requirements, certification, compliance norms, buyer-seller connect services, and global e-commerce guidance.
* Integrates resources from the Department of Commerce, Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and other relevant institutions.
* **Evaluation Mechanism:**
* The EPM includes provisions for third-party evaluations as part of its monitoring framework.
* Evaluations will follow Government of India guidelines, including those from NITI Aayog and the Department of Expenditure.
* Aims to ensure monitoring, impact assessment, and governance aligned with established standards.
**Impact Analysis**
**MSME Exporters**
* **Impact:**
* Improved access to trade finance, export certifications, export logistics, and overseas markets through EPM and associated initiatives.
* Enhanced support and guidance via EFCs and the Trade Connect ePlatform.
* Benefit from independent evaluations ensuring effective implementation of support schemes.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize the resources and support offered by EFCs and the Trade Connect ePlatform.
* Participate in relevant export promotion schemes and provide feedback for improvement.
**Government Agencies (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, DGFT, etc.)**
* **Impact:**
* Expected to effectively implement and monitor the EPM and associated initiatives.
* Responsible for conducting third-party evaluations to ensure scheme effectiveness and transparency.
* **Action Required:**
* Ensure the smooth functioning of EFCs and the Trade Connect ePlatform.
* Conduct regular evaluations of the EPM and related schemes, adhering to established guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Export Promotion Mission (EPM): A comprehensive framework approved by the Government to strengthen the overall export ecosystem, particularly for MSMEs.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: The ministry responsible for addressing export promotion and related issues, as indicated in the question and answer.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): The body that launched the Trade Connect ePlatform to support exporters.
Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs): Centres established by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to provide mentoring and support to MSMEs for exports.
NIRYAT PROTSAHAN: Part of the EPM, focusing on trade finance facilitation for MSME exporters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 429
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2025
EXPORT PROMOTION SCHEME
429. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has noticed that despite of various export promotion schemes such
as the IC Scheme, RoDTEP, ROSCTL, MAI, TIES, etc., most MSME exporters in the country
are still facing basic problems like financial assistance, quality certification, logistic support and
access to foreign markets, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of MSME exporters who actually utilized the notified 65 Export Facilitation
Centres, 10,642 tariff line coverage and various digital platforms along with the number of
MSME exporters out of them who received lasting benefits,
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up an independent evaluation mechanism to ensure
on-ground monitoring of the schemes and transparency in their execution; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एव ंउद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री जितिन प्रसादा)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) - In order to support MSME in matters related to trade finance, export certifications, export
logistics, and access to oversee markets, in an integrated and structured manner the Government
has approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) as a comprehensive framework to strengthen
the overall export ecosystem.Under EPM, support shall be provided through NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, which focuses on trade
finance facilitation for MSME exporters, and NIRYAT DISHA, which shall provide non-
financial support including export-quality and compliance assistance, market-access
interventions, logistics facilitation, and export ecosystem-building measures.
(b) - The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has established 65 Export
Facilitation Centres (EFCs) across the country to provide MSMEs mentoring, handholding
support and guidance for undertaking export of their products and services. A total of 11,222
MSMEs have been supported by Export Facilitation Centres in the country from 2022-23 to
2024-25.
Separately, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched the Trade Connect
ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in) as a digital interface to provide exporters—including MSMEs—
with information on trade agreements, country-specific market requirements, certification and
compliance norms, buyer–seller connect services, and global e-commerce guidance. The
platform also integrates Department of Commerce, Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion
Councils, Commodity Boards, and other relevant institutions, for sector-specific support and
knowledge resources.
(c) & (d) - The Export Promotion Mission as approved, contains provisions for third-party
evaluations as part of its monitoring framework. Such evaluations will be undertaken in
accordance with existing Government of India evaluation guidelines, including those issued by
NITI Aayog, the Department of Expenditure, and other applicable framework instructions
relating to external and independent assessments of Central Sector schemes. These provisions are
intended to ensure that monitoring, impact assessment, and governance remain aligned with
established standards.
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