New Delhi, February 20
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, today launched seven additional interventions under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), a flagship initiative of the Department of Commerce aimed at empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for global markets. These interventions are designed to address key challenges faced by Indian exporters, promote broad-based and inclusive export growth, and strengthen India’s position as a globally competitive export powerhouse. Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Agarwal, also graced the occasion.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of World Day of Social Justice, Goyal said that social justice requires reaching the last person at the bottom of the pyramid. He emphasised that inclusive growth, empowerment of the marginalised and providing opportunities to those left behind in India’s rapid transformation are essential to achieving true social justice.
The Minister highlighted India’s growing leadership in emerging technologies and global partnerships. Referring to the recently concluded AI Summit, he commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the concerned Ministers for positioning India at the centre of global conversations on artificial intelligence and future technologies. He stated that advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, data centres and indigenous large language models would open significant opportunities for India’s youth and catalyse investments across sectors.
Goyal underlined that India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has significantly enhanced market access for Indian exporters. He noted that nearly 70 per cent of global GDP and two-thirds of global trade are now accessible to India through nine concluded FTAs, including the first tranche of the Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States. These agreements provide preferential access across sectors in 38 developed and emerging economies.
The Minister stated that India today engages with developed economies with confidence, safeguarding sensitive sectors while securing gains in areas of competitive strength. Since 2022, India has accelerated trade engagements, expanded partnerships in goods, services and investments, reduced compliance burdens, decriminalised several laws and improved ease of doing business. He also referred to India’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit across multiple cities, showcasing the country’s diversity and economic potential.
Emphasising that the benefits of global trade must reach every MSME, startup and entrepreneur, Goyal said the Export Promotion Mission is aimed at promoting new products, services and exporters, while enabling Indian businesses to access new markets. He noted that India has recorded double-digit growth in merchandise exports in the first half of February, reflecting strong market confidence and proactive industry participation. He stated that the Mission seeks to simplify processes for MSMEs, strengthen access to credit, enhance quality standards, support compliance with international regulations and expand logistics and warehousing infrastructure globally. Initiatives such as overseas warehousing, including Bharat Mart in Dubai, are intended to provide Indian exporters with strategic access to markets across the GCC, Africa, Central Asia and Europe.
The Export Promotion Mission adopts a holistic ecosystem approach by combining financial enablers under ‘Niryat Protsahan’ and trade ecosystem support under ‘Niryat Disha’, delivered through a unified and digitally monitored framework. The Mission is implemented by the Department of Commerce in coordination with the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, EXIM Bank, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), regulated lending institutions, Indian Missions abroad, EPCs and industry stakeholders.
