Union Cabinet Approves Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) — a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 aimed at strengthening India’s export competitiveness, especially for MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors.

Key Highlights

• Total Outlay: ₹25,060 crore for the period FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31.
• Objective: To establish a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion.
• Implementing Agency: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Department of Commerce.
• The Mission replaces multiple fragmented export schemes with a single, outcome-based and adaptive mechanism capable of responding swiftly to global trade challenges.

Institutional Framework

• Anchored by: Department of Commerce.
• Collaborating Ministries/Departments:
  • Ministry of MSME
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, Financial Institutions, industry associations, and state governments.
• The Mission promotes inter-ministerial and centre–state coordination for unified export strategy and execution.

🔹 Structure of the Mission

EPM will operate through two integrated sub-schemes:

1. NIRYAT PROTSAHAN
   • Focus: Improving access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs.
   • Tools: Innovative financial instruments and credit facilitation mechanisms.
2. NIRYAT DISHA
   • Focus: Providing non-financial support to enhance market readiness and competitiveness.
   • Includes: Digital capacity-building, product branding, compliance readiness, and export mentoring programmes.

Scheme Consolidation

• The Export Promotion Mission consolidates existing support schemes such as:
  • Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES)
  • Market Access Initiative (MAI)
• These schemes are being restructured and aligned with contemporary trade needs and global market dynamics.

Priority Sectors

Under EPM, priority assistance will be extended to sectors impacted by global tariff escalations, including:

• Textiles and Apparel
• Leather and Footwear
• Gems & Jewellery
• Engineering Goods
• Marine Products

Expected Impact

• Strengthen export competitiveness of Indian MSMEs.
• Sustain export orders and protect employment in labour-intensive sectors.
• Support diversification into new and emerging markets.
• Enable India to move closer to its $2 trillion export target by 2030 under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

Source: PIB