The Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday announced the launch of ₹25,060-crore export promotion mission (EPM) to push outbound shipments and make global trade easier for smaller businesses.

This is in line with India’s big push to take exports to the next level for which India has signed at least 9 free trade agreements in the last four years. 

While launching the mission, Goyal said it is a major step toward expanding India’s export base and supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"It is the power of 1.4 billion Indians that encourages us to look at a 25,000 crore rupee export promotion mission," Goyal said.

Various schemes under one big roof 

The mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 and approved in November 2025, will run for six years. It brings various export-related schemes under one integrated and digital framework. The aim is to reduce delays, simplify procedures and cut transaction costs for exporters, especially smaller firms.

The programme has two main parts. Niryat Protsahan, with an outlay of ₹10,401 crore, will provide financial support such as interest subvention on MSME export credit, factoring support and export guarantees. Niryat Disha, with ₹14,659 crore, will focus on non-financial support, including help for trade fairs, branding, warehousing and logistics reimbursements.

The launch comes at a time when global trade is under pressure from tariff moves and shifting supply chains. The government sees the mission as a shield against external shocks and a tool to tap new markets through trade engagements with partners such as the US, UK, EU and EFTA.

Focus on MSMEs, labour-intensive sectors

At the core of the mission is a focus on segments that have not fully benefited from India’s export growth so far. These include MSMEs, labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and agriculture, and districts beyond traditional export hubs. The government has also extended the RoDTEP scheme until March 2026 to support exporters.

“The center stage of an evolved future, not only for India but for the entire world. This is going to set the platform on which we will see rapid and inclusive growth for India and all Indians. This will provide opportunities to our young men and women, Goyal said.

He added, "Going forward, it’s going to open up a flood of opportunities, with more and more investments coming into this field -- whether it’s data centers, engagement with artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, developing our own language models (LLMs), or seeing how we can be at the forefront of applying AI, where we have significant talent, skills, and strengths.”

The mission also places strong focus on logistics reforms and port connectivity, including better hinterland links. With container volumes to Europe rising through corridors such as IMEC, the government believes the initiative will strengthen India’s maritime exports and improve resilience against geopolitical disruptions.