Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry addressed concerns regarding MSME exporters' challenges despite existing export promotion schemes in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3755 on August 12, 2025. The response detailed the proposed Export Promotion Mission (EPM) announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, efforts to support MSMEs through Export Facilitation Centres and digital platforms, and plans for independent evaluation of export promotion schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
Export Promotion Mission (EPM):
* EPM was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to enhance export competitiveness.
* It aims to improve access to export credit and address non-tariff barriers for MSMEs.
* EPM is currently at the proposal stage and incorporates learnings from earlier schemes.
* Sub-schemes will strengthen trade finance access, quality and compliance capabilities, market linkages, and export logistics.
Support for MSMEs:
* 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) have been established nationwide to mentor and support MSMEs in exporting.
* 11,222 MSMEs were supported by EFCs from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
* The Trade Connect e-Platform (https:trade.gov.in) provides trade-related information and guidance, integrating various institutions.
* The platform offers tools and resources, including trade agreement insights, market requirements, certification norms, buyer-seller connect services, and e-commerce opportunities.
* MSMEs can create digital profiles and access learning resources through EXIM Paathshaala on the platform.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
* The EPM proposal includes third-party evaluation to assess outcomes and inform improvements.
* Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are built into the proposal for effective execution, stakeholder responsiveness, and transparency.
Impact Analysis:
MSME Exporters:
* Impact: MSME exporters are intended to benefit from enhanced access to finance, improved compliance capabilities, market linkages, logistics support, and digital resources. They will also gain access to mentoring and handholding support from Export Facilitation Centers.
* Action Required: MSMEs should utilize available resources, including Export Facilitation Centres and the Trade Connect e-Platform, to enhance their export capabilities and market access.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry:
* Impact: The Ministry is responsible for implementing and overseeing the EPM, supporting Export Facilitation Centres, and managing the Trade Connect e-Platform.
* Action Required: The Ministry needs to finalize and implement the EPM, ensure the effective operation of EFCs, and maintain and update the Trade Connect e-Platform. The Ministry should also establish an independent evaluation mechanism to monitor the schemes.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT):
* Impact: DGFT is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Trade Connect e-Platform.
* Action Required: DGFT should continue to enhance the platform and ensure it meets the needs of MSME exporters.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian government ministry responsible for international trade and industrial development.
Export Promotion Mission: A proposed mission by the Indian government to enhance export competitiveness, focusing on improving access to export credit and addressing non-tariff barriers for MSMEs.
MSME: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a significant sector in the Indian economy and a focus of export promotion efforts.
Interest Equalisation Scheme: An earlier Indian government scheme aimed at providing interest equalization support to exporters.
Market Access Initiative: An earlier Indian government scheme aimed at promoting exports by providing financial assistance for market research and development.
Export Facilitation Centres: Centers established across India by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to provide mentoring and support to MSMEs in exporting.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: The Indian government agency responsible for implementing foreign trade policy.
Trade Connect e Platform: A digital platform developed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to provide trade-related information and guidance to Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3755
ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025
EXPORT PROMOTION SCHEMES
3755. SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government acknowledges that in spite of various export promotion
schemes like IC Scheme, RODTEP, ROSCTL, MAI, TIES, etc., most of the MSME exporters
in the country still face basic problems like financial support, quality certification, logistic
support and access to overseas markets, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the number of MSME exporters that actually
utilise the 65 announced Export Facilitation Centres, 10,642 tariff line coverage and various
digital platforms and the number of MSME exporters that received lasting benefits, if so, the
details thereof, and
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up any independent evaluation mechanism to
ensure ground level monitoring of the schemes and transparency in their execution, 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 Export Promotion Mission (EPM) was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26
to enhance export competitiveness by facilitating improved access to export credit and
assisting MSMEs in addressing non-tariff barriers in the global market. EPM is currently at
the proposal stage. EPM aims to strengthen inclusive access to trade finance, improve quality
and compliance capabilities, build market linkages, and support export logistics through its
sub-schemes. The proposed Mission incorporates learnings from earlier schemes such as
Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI) and proposes a more
integrated and adaptive framework aligned with evolving trade dynamics.
1(b) The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has established 65 Export
Facilitation Centres (EFCs) across the country with the aim of providing requisite mentoring
and handholding support to MSMEs in exporting 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.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has developed the Trade Connect e-
Platform (https://trade.gov.in) as a comprehensive digital interface to provide trade-related
information and guidance to Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs. The platform functions as
an online support hub, integrating the Department of Commerce, Indian Missions abroad,
Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and other relevant institutions. It offers
exporters streamlined access to tools and resources including insights on trade agreements,
country-specific market requirements, certification and compliance norms, buyer–seller
connect services, and global e-commerce opportunities. Additionally, MSMEs can create
discoverable digital profiles to connect with international buyers and access structured
learning resources through the EXIM Paathshaala. The platform aims to digitally empower
MSME exporters and strengthen their integration into global trade networks.
(c) The EPM proposal includes provisions for third-party evaluation to assess outcomes
and inform further improvements. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have been built
into the proposal to ensure effective execution, stakeholder responsiveness, and transparency.
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