India Targets $1 Trillion in Exports Amid Global Trade Slowdown
- Export goal: $1 trillion current year target
- Who is affected: MSMEs and export manufacturers
- Summit dates: November 12 to 13 in Visakhapatnam
- Key directive: State-level FTA desks for MSMEs
India has set its sights on a $1 trillion annual export target, demanding a steep 16 percent expansion at a time when global trade growth is stalling below 3 percent. Addressing the curtain raiser for the 31st CII Partnership Summit, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal framed the goal as an industry-driven push backed by 63 million MSMEs, major exporters, and expanding global capability centres. India closed the previous year with $863 billion in total outbound shipments.
To translate recent trade treaties into actual outbound cargo, Goyal called on the Confederation of Indian Industry to establish dedicated Free Trade Agreement utilisation desks across every state council. These desks are designed to help smaller enterprises untangle complex rules of origin, navigate tariff concessions, and access international supply chains. The Minister emphasized that recent bilateral agreements retain firm protections for sensitive sectors like agriculture and domestic MSMEs while opening foreign markets for precision engineering and electronics.
The policy focus now shifts to Andhra Pradesh, where the bilateral summit will convene on November 12 and 13 in Visakhapatnam alongside Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The coastal state is positioning itself as an emerging technology and manufacturing corridor, buoyed by projects including a planned Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam and quantum initiatives in Amaravati. For Indian businesses confronting soft foreign demand, the Centre is signaling that export growth must lean heavily on bilateral treaties and regional industrial hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India's export target for the current fiscal year?
India is targeting $1 trillion in total exports for the current year, requiring nearly 16 percent growth from the $863 billion achieved last year.
What are the proposed FTA utilisation desks?
These are dedicated state-level desks to be set up by CII to help MSMEs understand rules of origin, claim tariff concessions, and leverage trade agreements.
When is the 31st CII Partnership Summit taking place?
The summit is scheduled to take place on November 12 and 13 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Source
PIB Press Release ID 2320694, Ministry of Commerce and Industry · 2026-10-08
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