Parliament Question: Promotion of Export from Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5148. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 24TH MARCH, 2026. PROMOTION OF EXPORT FROM MAHARASHTRA 5148. SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE: Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री (a) the details of the major industries established in Wardha districts of Maharashtra during the last five years; (b) the quantum of investment made in these industries and the number of jobs created therein; (c) the details of the assistance provided to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startup in the State; (d) the various steps taken by the Government to promote exports from Maharashtra; and (e) the plans formulated for future industrial corridors of industrial parks in Maharashtra? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) & (b): Industry is a state subject. State Government of Maharashtra has informed that 71,760 MSME units are registered under Udyam in Wardha district. This sector has generated employment for around 2,57,824 individuals, backed by a substantial investment of Rs 1,466.35 crores, driving the district’s economic development and local entrepreneurship. (c): Ministry of MSME implements Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) to provide credit guarantee for loans extended to MSEs. The ceiling for guarantee coverage under the scheme is Rs. 10 crore (w.e.f. 01.04.2026). Since inception in 2000 till 28.02.2026, a total of 11.59 lakh credit guarantees amounting to Rs. 1.66 lakh crore have been extended to MSEs in the State of Maharashtra.Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund has been set up to infuse Rs. 50,000 Crore as equity funding in Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with a provision of Rs. 10,000 Crore from the Government of India and Rs. 40,000 Crore through Private Equity / Venture Capital Funds. The Budget 2026-27 has also announced a support of Rs 2,000 crore to top up the SRI Fund set up in 2021, to continue support to micro enterprises. As reported by NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), since inception in October 2021 till 28.02.2026, 171 MSMEs have been assisted in the State of Maharashtra by way of fund investment of Rs. 4,427.8 crore. The Government has approved the establishment of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a total corpus of Rs 10,000 Crore. The scheme is designed to accelerate the next phase of India's startup journey by mobilising longterm domestic capital, strengthening the venture capital ecosystem, supporting innovation across the country including Maharashtra. The Scheme builds upon the experience and performance of the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme (FFS 1.0) implemented under the Startup India initiative. Under FFS 1.0, the Government provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) through the Small Industries Development Bank of India(SIDBI), which in turn invests in startups across sectors and stages. As on 31st January 2026, Rs. 6,801.95 crore has been committed to 80 AIFs supported under the Scheme from the State of Maharashtra. In the State of Maharashtra, supported Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) under the Fund of Funds for Startup Scheme (FFS 1.0) have invested Rs. 6,025.25 crore in 276 startups as on 31st January 2026. Under the Startup India initiative, an Action Plan for startups comprising of schemes and incentives envisaged to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country including Maharashtra has been formulated. It comprises of 19 action items across areas such as “Simplification and handholding”, “Funding support and incentives” and “Industry-academia partnership and incubation”. The Government also implements periodic exercises and programs including States’ Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards, and Innovation Week which play an important role in the holistic development of the startup ecosystem. The Government also encourages and supports ecosystem-led initiatives such as Startup Mahakumbh which serves as a vibrant platform for stakeholders to network and collaborate. Initiatives to improve market access and enable public procurement support startups in growing and scaling up their businesses. These measures are complemented by regulatory reforms and other ecosystem development events and programs. Further, specifically in the State of Maharashtra, 36,782 entities have been recognized as startups by the Government with a recognised startup emerging from every district of the State. As on 31st January 2026, supported AIFs under the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme have invested Rs. 6,025.25 crore in 276 startups from the State of Maharashtra.As on 31st January 2026, supported incubators under Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) have approved Rs. 105.06 crore to 559 startups from the State of Maharashtra. Additionally, under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), as on 31st January 2026, 78 loans amounting to Rs. 187.6 crore has been guaranteed to startups from the State of Maharashtra. Support to the startup ecosystem and MSME in Maharashtra is also provided through the Government of Maharashtra. The state has introduced the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025, which provides a framework for expanding funding access, infrastructure and ecosystem support for startups in the State. The policy includes provisions for financial assistance and ecosystem development to strengthen the startup landscape across Maharashtra. The State has also instituted funding mechanisms such as the Maharashtra Fund of Funds in partnership with SIDBI, supporting professionally managed venture funds that invest in startups across the State. Additionally, the Maharashtra Innovation and Technological Development Fund (MITDF) provides a dedicated venture funding mechanism for early-stage and growth capital. Complementary ecosystem initiatives include the establishment of micro- incubators in ITIs, polytechnics and colleges, development of regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, strengthening of district innovation committees and funds, and programmes such as Startup Yatra, innovation challenges and hackathons, along with a statewide mentor network and digital knowledge platform connecting startups with investors, experts and institutions. State Government of Maharashtra has also informed that they have provided the following special incentives for the MSME sector:  Maharashtra Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP) provides credit-linked subsidies (15%-35%) for new MSMEs. It funds projects up to Rs 50 lakh (manufacturing) and Rs. 20 lakh (service), requiring only 5%-10% beneficiary contribution for unemployed youth. Total 1,802 cases sanctioned under CMEGP Scheme in Wardha District since inception with Rs. 27.0966 crore subsidy.  Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PGEGP) provides credit-linked subsidies (15%-35%) for new micro enterprises. It funds projects up to Rs. 50 lakh (manufacturing) and Rs. 20 lakh (service), requiring only 5%-10% beneficiary contribution for all eligible citizens. In Last Five Years Total 202 cases sanctioned in Wardha District under PMEGP with Rs. 7.4844 crore subsidy.(d): The major initiatives taken by Government of India for enhancing exports in the country including the State of Maharashtra are as under: (i) The Export Infrastructure Division of Department of Commerce, Government of India implements the 'Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)', a Central Sector Scheme w.e.f. F.Y. 2017-18, with the objective of assisting Central and State Government agencies in the creation of appropriate infrastructure for growth of exports. Under the scheme, financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid has been provided to Maharashtra for establishing the facility for analysis of origin and authenticity of various food products in Mumbai. (ii) The Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative under Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an attached office under Department of Commerce, Government of India, seeks to harness the export potential and unique identity of each district by promoting exports of identified goods and services, including Geographical Indication (GI) products, agricultural clusters, and toy clusters. Institutional mechanisms in the form of State Export Promotion Committees (SEPCs) at the State/UT level and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) at the district level have been constituted to facilitate export promotion and address bottlenecks affecting export growth. (iii) The Export Promotion Mission (EPM), approved by the Union Cabinet with DGFT as implementing agency provides a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, with a total outlay of Rs.25,060 crore for FY2025–26 to FY 2030–31. The Mission aims to strengthen access to affordable and inclusive trade finance, addressing non-financial barriers that enhance export quality and compliance with global standards, as well as provide logistics support and institutional export support, including to MSMEs. EPM marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome-based, and adaptive mechanism designed to directly address structural challenges, including limited and expensive trade finance access and the high cost of compliance with international export standards. The Mission would operate through two integrated sub-schemes: 1. NIRYAT PROTSAHAN – with focus 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. 2. NIRYAT DISHA – with focus 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 initiativesFurther, the state has reported that in coordination with the Central Government, they have implemented a multi-layered strategy under the Maharashtra State Export Promotion Policy 2023-2028 with following features:  Export Promotion Policy to increase the state share in national exports.  Financial incentives and subsidies such as interest subsidy and export credit support.  Support to MSMEs though technology up-gradation and marketing assistance.  One District One Product (ODOP) to promote district-specific export products.  Trade fairs and exhibitions to help exporters access international markets. (e): State Government of Maharashtra has informed that development of the Nagpur to Mumbai Samruddhi Industrial Corridor, which passes near Wardha is expected to attract industries and logistics hubs. The proposed Shaktipeeth Highway will further strengthen road transport and regional industrial development. Establishment of a defence industrial corridor in the Nagpur to Wardha to Amravati region is expected to promote defence manufacturing, aerospace, and advanced technology industries. Sindhi Dry Port is planned to improve cargo handling, warehousing, and export logistics in Wardha, creating major opportunities in the logistics sector. Further, under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) of Government of India, two industrial smart cities have been approved in State of Maharashtra as part of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) namely:  Shendra Bidkin Industrial Area (SBIA) admeasuring 9,929 acres  Dighi Port Industrial Area (DPIA) admeasuring 6,056 acres ********