New Delhi [India], June 26: The Centre has now shifted its export strategy from policy support to execution as industry bodies are asked to deliver measurable export growth.
In a meeting yesterday, attended by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Industry Associations, the emphasis was given on translating available budgetary support into measurable outcomes and higher export growth.
India's total exports (merchandise & services) during April 2026 is estimated at USD 80.80 Billion, as compared to USD 71.13 Billion during April 2025, an estimated growth of 13.59 percent.
Notably, India provides budgetary support to the exporters through its Export Promotion Mission (EPM) backed by Rs 25,060 crore budgetary outlay. The scheme aims to support the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), first-time exporters, and labor-intensive sectors.
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Going forward, during the meeting, the Commerce Secretary emphasised that the success of the Export Promotion Mission would depend not only on launching interventions but also on ensuring their effective uptake by exporters.
Referring to initiatives such as export factoring, credit guarantees for e-commerce exporters, collateral support for export credit and support for emerging export opportunities, he called upon EPCs and industry associations to undertake focused outreach programmes in partnership with banks and other stakeholders.
The Commerce Secretary also encouraged EPCs to proactively develop proposals under various EPM components, particularly in the areas of export warehousing and logistics, certification support, trade intelligence and market access.
He highlighted the need to identify new markets, leverage the opportunities created through India's Free Trade Agreements and promote wider participation in key international trade events, especially in regions offering significant export potential.
The Commerce Secretary underlined the importance of active participation by EPCs in the District Export Hubs initiative and urged them to nominate focal points at the national, State and district levels.
He encouraged EPCs to work closely with District Export Promotion Committees to identify products and districts with immediate export potential.
Citing examples such as GI products, agricultural produce and local crafts, he stressed the need to convert district-level strengths into export opportunities and bring new exporters into the ecosystem through sustained handholding, capacity building and market linkages.
The meeting built upon the consensus reached during an earlier interaction with EPCs that the focus must extend beyond addressing individual organisational concerns to developing a structured and coordinated action plan for expanding exports, accessing new markets, promoting new products and enhancing the contribution of each Council to the country's overall export performance.
To enhance predictability and expedite trade facilitation, the Minister informed participants that a tentative schedule of statutory and facilitation committee meetings has been finalised and placed on the DGFT website.
The Norms Committee, Policy Relaxation Committee, EPCG Committee and Exim Facilitation Committees will now meet on a fortnightly basis on fixed days, while the Inter-Ministerial Working Group on SCOMET will meet every month.
The initiative aims to ensure time-bound disposal of cases, reduce pendency, expedite issuance of meeting minutes and provide a more predictable and credible facilitation environment for exporters.
Goyal urged all EPCs and industry associations to remain actively engaged with DGFT and to submit focused, quantifiable and outcome-oriented proposals.
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He emphasised that EPCs, as India's interface with global markets, must work in close partnership with the Government and fully leverage the market access opportunities emerging from India's trade agreements to achieve the shared objective of substantially increasing the country's exports.
Ends.
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