Big boost to MSMEs, exporters? Cabinet clears Rs 25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission, Rs 20,000-crore credit guarantee scheme
Published on 13/11/2025 09:24 AM
The Union Cabinet -- chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- on Wednesday approved a flagship programme, called Export Promotion Mission (EPM), aimed at supporting the country's competitiveness in exports. The mission was announced in the Union Budget in February.
The scheme is particularly designed for MSMEs, first-time exporters and labour-intensive sectors.
The mission will operate through two integrated sub-schemes: 'Niryat Protsahan' (export encouragement) and 'Niryat Disha' (export direction).
The mission is aimed at consolidating key export support schemes, such as Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI), aligning them with contemporary trade needs, according to an official statement.
It is designed to address some structural challenges in Indian exports, such as:
The government also said that priority support will be extended, under the mission, to sectors impacted by recent global tariff escalations, such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products, with interventions set to help sustain export orders, protect jobs and support diversification into new geographies.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will act as the implementing agency, it noted.
The Cabinet also approved the launch of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE), aimed at providing collateral-free credit support of up to Rs 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs. Under this scheme, the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) will offer 100 per cent credit guarantee coverage to member lending institutions extending additional credit to exporters.
This initiative will be implemented by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) through NCGTC.
Reinforcing the government’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) vision, the credit guarantee scheme is set to bolster liquidity, help exporters diversify into new and emerging markets, and enhance India’s global competitiveness, supporting the country’s progress toward its $1 trillion export target.