WHAT?

The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a flagship initiative announced by the Indian government in the Union Budget 2025-26 to bolster the country's export sector amid global trade challenges, such as rising tariffs and economic uncertainties. 

It aims to promote broad-based, inclusive, and sustainable export growth by addressing key bottlenecks, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through enhanced access to affordable credit, market development, compliance support, and integration into global value chains. 

KEY FEATURES

1. The government is considering a total outlay of Rs 25,000 crore (approximately $3 billion) over six financial years, from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. 
2. EPM operates as a joint effort involving the Department of Commerce (anchor), Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders like Exim Bank, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC), export promotion councils, commodity boards, industry associations, and state governments.
3. The mission is designed to shield Indian exporters from external pressures, including potential tariff hikes (e.g., the referenced 50% Trump tariffs on certain Indian goods, building on existing duties). 
4. A dedicated EPM Section has been established under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to handle policy formulation, implementation, and all related matters. 
5. The mission will be implemented via two primary sub-schemes:

1. Niryat Protsahan (over Rs 10,000 crore): Focuses on financial support, including interest equalization (over Rs 5,000 crore), alternative trade finance instruments, a credit card for e-commerce exporters, and mechanisms to address liquidity gaps. 
2. Niryat Disha (over Rs 14,500 crore): Covers non-financial aspects like export quality compliance (about Rs 4,000 crore), overseas market development (over Rs 4,000 crore), branding, export warehousing, logistics, and capacity building to help more Indian firms join global supply chains. 

Benefits for Exporters

1. The core goal is to provide hassle-free, low-interest loans and other supports to mitigate global trade risks, with a strong emphasis on MSMEs in sectors like textiles, chemicals, leather, and footwear that are vulnerable to tariffs.

2. The mission aligns with broader efforts to internationalize Indian exports and responds to recent global developments, with rollout expected post-approvals.

3. Exporters will get interest subsidies and trade finance support.

4. MSMEs will become more competitive in global markets.
5. Brand India will strengthen, creating more export opportunities.