Export Promotion Mission (EPM): A Unified Export Support Framework

India’s new Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a six-year, ₹25,060 crore programme approved in late 2025 to boost exports, especially from MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors. It consolidates multiple schemes into one digitally driven platform (operated by DGFT) for faster, transparent support. EPM has two sub-schemes: Niryat Protsahan (financial enablers) and Niryat Disha (non-financial enablers). For example, Niryat Protsahan offers cheap credit (through interest subsidies and loan guarantees) while Niryat Disha covers export quality, branding, trade fairs, logistics and market-link initiatives. The Mission explicitly targets MSMEs and first-time exporters and is designed to be WTO-compliant (performance-neutral support not tied to export volumes).

Market Access Support (MAS) – Niryat Disha

Objective: The MAS intervention under Niryat Disha aims to strengthen India’s export market access by helping exporters, especially MSMEs, get noticed abroad. It provides structured support (often in partnership with Export Promotion Councils and trade bodies) for overseas events like Buyer–Seller Meets (BSMs), Reverse BSMs, trade fairs, exhibitions, and outbound trade delegations. By subsidizing such activities, MAS helps reduce exporters’ promotion costs and connects them with global buyers, opening up new opportunities.

Key Benefits: 

• Greater visibility for exporters: MSMEs can showcase products at international fairs and BSMs with government-backed support 

• Lower participation costs: The scheme reimburses eligible costs (e.g. pavilion space, freight, branding) up to defined ceilings, including special airfare support for small exporters.

•  Focused outreach: Priority sectors (textiles, engineering, agriculture, IT services, etc.) and new markets are targeted, helping exporters diversify.

Eligibility: MAS is implemented on a pilot basis. Registered Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, Government bodies and approved trade/industry associations can apply as “organising agencies” on DGFT’s Trade Connect portal. These agencies then nominate MSME exporters to participate in approved events abroad (For example, Pharmexcil and similar EPCs coordinate pharma sector participation).

Application Process: All MAS activities must be applied online via the Trade Connect e-Platform (on trade.gov.in). Organising agencies register an “EPM administrator” on the portal and submit proposals for specific events. Events (BSMs, fairs, etc.) must be listed on the “Trade Events Worldwide” service of Trade Connect, after which agencies complete an online form for MAS support. The DGFT portal guides users step-by-step. All approved MAS events are highlighted on the portal, so exporters can apply through their associations. The MAS guidelines (drafted under FTP 2023) are currently under stakeholder consultation (via FTP para 1.07A) to refine the rules.

WTO Compliance: MAS provides non-discriminatory, performance-neutral support for export promotion (e.g. reimbursing fair participation costs), so it is consistent with WTO rules. In line with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, it is structured as outcome-based assistance rather than a subsidy on export volume.

Niryat Protsahan (Financial Support for MSME Exporters)

Niryat Protsahan is the financial arm of EPM, aimed at improving access to affordable trade finance for MSME exporters. Two key schemes under Niryat Protsahan are:

A. Interest Subvention for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit

Objective: Reduce borrowing costs for MSME exporters and ease working capital constraints.

Benefit: Exporters receive an upfront interest subsidy of 2.75% per annum on their eligible pre- and post-shipment rupee export loans. This lowers the effective interest rate banks charge. Each IEC can claim up to ₹50 lakh in interest subsidy per financial year.

Coverage: The subsidy applies to MSME manufacturer and merchant exporters on a positive list of HSN six-digit tariff lines (sectors with strong MSME export potential). Export loans must comply with RBI’s guidelines on export credit.

Performance-neutral: The scheme is not linked to export volumes, pricing or performance – it simply subsidises interest on eligible loans. This rule-based approach makes it WTO-friendly.

Eligibility: To qualify, an exporter must have a valid IEC and Udyam (MSME) registration, and the export loan must be for goods/services on the notified list. Only loans from registered banks/FIs under RBI’s export credit directions are eligible.

How to Apply: Exporters apply through the DGFT online portal (EPM section). Steps include:

• Log in to DGFT Portal and go to Services > Export Promotion Mission (EPM).

• Start a New Application under “Interest Subvention for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit”.

• Fill in Details: Enter IEC, company and MSME details, bank loan information (amount, interest rate, tenor), and export product HSN codes.

• Upload Documents: Attach IEC certificate, MSME (Udyam) certificate, loan sanction letter, CA certificate, and any purchase orders or shipping bills.

• Submit: Review and submit the form. The DGFT system will issue a unique Application/Transaction ID (UIN) to track the subsidy.

Disbursement: Upon approval, the RBI reimburses the subsidy to the lending bank, which must pass the benefit immediately to the exporter (usually a reduced interest charge via a revolving fund mechanism).

Alignment: Announced as part of FTP‑2023 reforms, the scheme is overseen by RBI with its operational guidelines, and rates will be reviewed bi‑annually.

B. Collateral Support for Export Credit

Objective: Make credit more accessible to MSME exporters by reducing collateral requirements on export loans.

Benefit: Up to 85% credit guarantee coverage (loan collateral) for Micro & Small exporters and 65% for medium exporters is now available on export credit under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). This means MSMEs need to pledge far less security for working-capital loans tied to exports. The maximum cover is ₹10 crore per exporter per year (FY2025–26).

Coverage: Applies only to export-linked working-capital loans for merchandise exports. A notified list of ~4,139 HSN lines (spanning textiles, chemicals, agriproducts, etc.) defines eligible exports.

Eligibility: MSME exporters (manufacturer or merchant) with valid IEC and Udyam registration can benefit. The borrowing must be from a Scheduled Commercial Bank or eligible Foreign Investor that is a CGTMSE member. Export contract must fall under the positive HS list.

Key Benefits:

• Easier Credit: Lenders face less risk, so banks are more willing to extend export loans.

• Scale up Operations: MSMEs can secure larger loans (up to ₹10 crore guarantee) to grow exports.

• Lower Financing Costs: The Annual Guarantee Fee (charged by CGTMSE) is typically lower than the cost of additional collateral or other credit enhancements.

How to Apply: MSME exporters apply online via DGFT’s EPM portal, similar to the interest scheme. Main steps:

• Log in and Select Scheme: Choose “Collateral Support for Export Credit.”

• Enter Loan & Export Details: Provide IEC, MSME and export particulars, credit facility details.

• Upload Documents: Include IEC certificate, Udyam certificate, CA certificate (for financials), sanction letter, etc.

• Submit Application: Confirm details and submit. Acknowledgement/UIN will be generated.

Implementation: This initiative is piloted through CGTMSE. After submission, DGFT/CGTMSE processes the guaranteed coverage. Pending feedback from the pilot, the guidelines will be refined under FTP‐2023 in consultation with stakeholders.

Alignment: By providing a guarantee (not a direct subsidy per export), the scheme remains performance-neutral and WTO-compliant. It furthers FTP‑2023’s goal of broadening formal credit for exporters without tying benefits to export levels.

Conclusion

Both MAS and Niryat Protsahan schemes have been rolled out under the current FTP‑2023 framework. Draft guidelines are placed on the DGFT portal for consultation (per FTP Para 1.07A) to ensure the final rules support MSMEs effectively. The overall approach is WTO-compatible and performance-neutral – benefits are fixed subsidies or guarantees, not rewards for hitting export targets.

The Export Promotion Mission marks a decisive shift in India’s export strategy from fragmented incentives to a unified, digital-first support ecosystem. By combining market access facilitation under Niryat Disha with targeted financial enablers under Niryat Protsahan, EPM directly addresses the two biggest pain points for MSME exporters: visibility and credit. Its performance-neutral, WTO-compliant design ensures sustainability, while DGFT-led digital delivery brings speed, transparency and predictability. If implemented with discipline and stakeholder feedback, EPM has the potential to not just increase export numbers, but to structurally strengthen India’s MSME export base and global competitiveness over the next decade.