## Policy Summary: Support for MSMEs in Akola, Maharashtra
This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Akola district of Maharashtra, with a focus on boosting exports, particularly within the cotton industry.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises implements the International Cooperation Scheme, which aims to build the capacity of MSMEs to enter the export market. This is achieved by facilitating their participation in international exhibitions, fairs, conferences, seminars, and buyer-seller meets abroad, as well as through reimbursements for export-related costs.
The International Cooperation Scheme has two key components:
* **Market Development Assistance (MDA):** Provides financial assistance for MSMEs participating as exhibitors in international events led by Industry/Government Associations.
* **Capacity Building of First-Time Exporters (CBFTE):** Reimburses micro and small exporters (with IEC Code registration under 3 years) for expenses like RCMC charges, export insurance premiums paid to ECGC, and testing/quality certification for exports.
In the past two financial years, the International Cooperation Scheme has supported MSMEs in Maharashtra as follows:
* **2023-24:** 122 MSMEs assisted with ₹4,72,15,131 released.
* **2024-25:** 65 MSMEs assisted with ₹2,13,11,721 released.
To further support MSMEs, the Ministry of MSME has established 65 Export Facilitation Centers (EFCs) across the country, including 5 in Maharashtra. These EFCs, located in field offices like DFOs, Tool Rooms, and Testing Centers, provide mentoring and handholding to MSMEs in exporting their products and services.
Furthermore, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has initiated a pilot program of E-Commerce Export Hubs to help MSMEs and artisans expand their exports through e-commerce. These hubs aim to streamline regulatory and logistics processes by offering end-to-end support for cross-border e-commerce exports, including faster clearance and simplified returns management.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The Indian government ministry responsible for formulating and administering rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India.
Akola district, Maharashtra: A district in the state of Maharashtra, India, noted for its cotton production.
International Cooperation Scheme: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to support MSMEs in entering the export market.
Market Development Assistance: A component of the International Cooperation Scheme providing financial assistance for MSMEs participating in international exhibitions and trade fairs.
Capacity Building of First Time Exporters: A component of the International Cooperation Scheme offering reimbursements to micro and small exporters for expenses like registration fees, export insurance premiums, and quality certification.
Export Facilitation Centers: Centers established across India, including in Maharashtra, by the Ministry of MSME to provide mentoring and support to MSMEs for exporting their products and services.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: An agency that has initiated the pilot launch of E-Commerce Export Hubs to assist MSMEs in expanding their exports through e-commerce.
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd: An organisation where Capacity Building of First Time Exporters offers reimbursements to micro and small exporters for export insurance premiums paid to it.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 791
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 24.07.2025
MSMEs IN AKOLA
791. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:
(a) the specific support being provided by the Government to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) in the Akola district in Maharashtra to boost exports, particularly in the cotton industry
considering that Akola is the largest cotton-growing district;
(b) the initiatives taken by the Government to promote e-commerce exports among MSMEs in Akola;
and
(c) the number of MSMEs in Akola that have benefitted from these export promotion initiatives and the
plans to expand these initiatives to support more MSMEs in the region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (c): Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is implementing a scheme namely,
“International Cooperation Scheme”which aims for capacity building of MSMEs for entering export market
by facilitating and supporting their participation in international exhibitions, fairs, conferences, seminar and
buyer-seller meets abroad as well as reimbursement of various costs involved in export of goods and
servicesthroughout the country including Akola. The scheme has following components:
Market Development Assistance (MDA): Under this component financial assistance is provided for
participation of MSMEs as exhibitors in delegations led by Industry/Government Associations in
international exhibitions, trade fairs and buyer-seller meet in foreign countries.
Capacity Building of First Time Exporters (CBFTE): It offers reimbursements to micro and small
exporters, with an IEC Code/Registration under 3 years, for expenses related to Registration-cum-
Membership Certification (RCMC) charges/fee paid to Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), export insurance
premiums paid to Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd (ECGC), and testing and quality certification for
exports.
The details of MSMEs of Maharashtra supported during last two years under International
Cooperation Scheme are given below:-
Number of MSMEs
Financial Year Amount released (in rupees)
provided assistance
2023-24 122 4,72,15,131
2024-25 65 2,13,11,721
Furthermore, 65 Export Facilitation Centers (EFCs) have been established across the country
including ,05 EFCs in Maharashtra, in various field offices of the Ministry of MSME such as DFOs/Tool
Rooms/Testing Centres with the aim to provide requisite mentoring and handholding to MSMEs in
exporting their products and services.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has initiated the pilot launch of E-Commerce
Export Hubs to assist MSMEs and traditional artisans across the country in expanding theirexports through
e-commerce. These hubs aim to streamline regulatory and logistics processes byproviding end-to-end
support for cross-border e-commerce exports, including faster clearance andsimplified returns management.
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