Date: 2026-04-28Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Chairs Meeting with Export Promotion Councils and Industry to Strengthen Export Ecosystem Post India–New Zealand FTA Signing
**Executive Summary**
On April 27, 2026, Union Minister Piyush Goyal chaired a meeting with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and industry leaders to strengthen the export ecosystem following the India–New Zealand FTA signing. The session focused on achieving a USD 2 trillion export target by 2030, reviewing the progress of the Export Promotion Mission, and addressing MSME challenges. Key priorities include leveraging existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and implementing a new KPI-based reform framework presented by the DGFT.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Export Performance and Strategic Goals**
* India achieved record merchandise and services exports of USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, reflecting a 4.22% year-on-year growth.
* A long-term target of USD 2 trillion in exports by 2030 has been set under the "Viksit Bharat" vision.
* Key growth sectors identified include engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems and jewellery, and agri-based products.
**Export Reform Framework**
* The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) presented a structured framework for measurable outcomes, including a KPI-based system for EPCs.
* Initiatives include the promotion of e-commerce exports and the development of "Districts as Export Hubs."
* The government proposed the establishment of a Digital Trade Academy to modernize trade practices.
* A special drive is underway to expedite the issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODC).
**Industry Support and Ease of Doing Business**
* The government committed to reducing compliance costs and simplifying testing requirements to enhance the ease of doing business.
* Active measures are being taken to reduce entry barriers for new participants in the export market.
* Continued support was pledged for the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), the flagship scheme for supporting Indian exporters.
**Impact Analysis**
**Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Industry Associations**
**Impact**
EPCs are now positioned as equal partners with the government in driving market diversification and technology adoption. They are subject to a new KPI-based framework to ensure policy measures result in measurable national outcomes.
**Action Required**
EPCs must expand the base of active exporters, explore new international markets, and ensure the timely utilization of FTAs by their members.
**MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises)**
**Impact**
MSMEs are the focus of targeted interventions intended to reduce entry barriers, lower compliance burdens, and facilitate their integration into the global export ecosystem.
**Action Required**
MSMEs should leverage ongoing government schemes and the Export Promotion Mission to overcome testing and compliance challenges when entering global markets.
**Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)**
**Impact**
The DGFT is responsible for implementing the new comprehensive export reform framework and overseeing sectoral performance.
**Action Required**
The DGFT must continue its special drive for EODC expediting and provide the necessary facilitation to ensure reforms translate into increased trade volume.
Key Entities Referenced
India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A bilateral trade agreement serving as the primary context for the meeting to strengthen India's export ecosystem and expand market access.
Export Promotion Mission (EPM): The government’s flagship scheme identified as the core program for supporting exporters and expanding India's active exporter base.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): The primary regulatory body responsible for presenting the Export Reform Framework and managing the transition to digital trade initiatives.
Viksit Bharat Vision: The national strategic policy vision that establishes the target of achieving USD 2 trillion in exports by 2030.
Districts as Export Hubs: An initiative focused on decentralizing export growth and integrating local manufacturing into the global supply chain.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri
Piyush Goyal Chairs Meeting with Export
Promotion Councils and Industry to Strengthen
Export Ecosystem Post India–New Zealand FTA
Signing
Shri Piyush Goyal Calls for Leveraging FTAs to Achieve USD
2 Trillion Export Target by 2030 under Viksit Bharat Vision
DGFT Presents Export Reform Framework; Industry Flags
MSME Challenges, Govt Assures Support and Ease of Doing
Business Measures
Export Promotion Mission Progress Reviewed; Shri Piyush
Goyal Urges EPCs to Expand Exporter Base and Explore New
Markets
Posted On: 28 APR 2026 11:35AM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, chaired a meeting with Export Promotion
Councils (EPCs) and industry associations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 27th April 2026, to
deliberate on strategies for strengthening India’s export ecosystem in the context of evolving global trade
dynamics. The meeting was held in continuation of the India–New Zealand FTA signing ceremony in
Bharat Mandapam and was attended by representatives of 30 EPCs and apex industry chambers, along
with senior officials from the Department of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade
(DGFT).
Addressing the gathering, Shri Goyal highlighted that India’s total merchandise and services exports
reached a record USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, registering a 4.22% year-on-year growth. He noted
that sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems & jewellery and
agri-based products have sustained export momentum despite global disruptions.
The Minister emphasised that this milestone should serve as a springboard for achieving USD 2 trillion in
exports by 2030 under the Viksit Bharat vision. He urged exporters and industry bodies to fully leverage
India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with developed economies to expand market access, boost exports
and create employment opportunities, noting that timely utilisation of these agreements is critical.
During the meeting, the Director General of Foreign Trade made a detailed presentation on export
performance, ongoing reforms and a structured framework for achieving measurable export outcomes. The
presentation outlined a comprehensive export reform framework covering sectoral export performance, aKPI-based framework for EPCs, promotion of e-commerce exports, Districts as Export Hubs, the
proposed Digital Trade Academy, the Government’s response to the West Asia crisis, progress under the
Export Promotion Mission, and the ongoing special drive for expediting the Export Obligation Discharge
Certificate (EODC). The DGFT stressed that EPCs must act as equal partners with the Government in
driving market diversification, bringing more MSMEs into the export ecosystem, greater use of
technology, and ensuring that policy measures translate into measurable outcomes at the national level.
Industry representatives raised issues relating to compliance costs, testing requirements, and challenges
faced by MSMEs in entering export markets. The Minister assured continued Government support,
including facilitation under ongoing schemes and targeted interventions to reduce entry barriers and
enhance ease of doing business.
Key bodies participating in the meeting included the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO);
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC); Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC);
Council for Leather Exports (CLE); Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC India); Basic
Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL); Cotton Textiles Export
Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL); Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council
(MATEXIL); other major textile EPCs; Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC); Export Promotion
Council for Handicrafts (EPCH); agriculture & allied bodies including the Seafood Exporters Association
of India (SEAI); Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA);
Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXCIL); Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export
Promotion Council (IOPEPC); Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL);
National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM); Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce & Industry (FICCI); Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM); PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI); and several other leading sectoral
associations.
Discussions also highlighted progress under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), the Government’s
flagship scheme to support exporters. The Minister encouraged EPCs to take steps to increase the number
of active exporters. He also emphasised Government support to exporters for entering new markets and
increasing their presence in existing markets to accelerate export growth.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening a facilitative trade ecosystem
through ongoing reforms, targeted support measures and close collaboration with industry, to accelerate
export growth and position India as a trusted global supply partner.
***
Abhishek Dayal/ Garima Singh/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2256121) Visitor Counter : 584
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