In a major push to accelerate India’s export momentum, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday launched the Export Promotion Mission designed to make Indian MSMEs globally competitive and expand the country’s presence in new markets.
“The benefits of global trade should reach every MSME, every entrepreneur, every startup, big or small,” Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal said.
“Our effort is that new products go from India, or new services go across continents and the new markets are captured.”
10 Elements of Export Promotion Mission
The mission comprises 10 elements, including three initiatives launched earlier and seven unveiled at the event.
The focus, the minister said, is on easing compliance burdens, expanding testing facilities, enabling mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with partner countries, and enhancing credit availability—especially for micro and small industries.
“You will find a directed effort — how can we make life of our MSMEs easier? Through registrations across the world, through getting the best of testing facilities… sharing risk and enhancing availability of credit,” he noted.
Bharat Mart in Dubai to Anchor GCC Outreach
Highlighting India’s global expansion strategy, Goyal spoke about the upcoming Bharat Mart in Dubai as a key project.
“Many of you are aware of Bharat Mart coming up in Dubai. The excitement I am hearing about the businesses wanting to locate there, showcase their wares, market from there to across the GCC, across Africa, across Central Asia, Central Europe, encourages us to think of other geographies,” he said.
The Dubai hub is expected to serve as a gateway for Indian exporters targeting Gulf, African and European markets.
Exports Show Strong Early Growth
Pointing to recent trade data, Goyal said merchandise exports had already recorded double-digit growth in the first 14 days of February.
“It’s no mean achievement that in the first 14 days of February, we are already at double digit growth in our merchandise exports,” he said.
India to Remain Fastest-Growing Large Economy
The minister reiterated that India would continue to be the fastest-growing large economy for the next 25 years, driven by strong domestic investment and export expansion.
Citing the steel sector as an example, Goyal said production is slated to double from 140 million tonnes to 300 million tonnes in the next five to six years, backed by nearly INR 10 trillion ($110–120 billion) in investments.
“Our own economic growth story will be given a huge spur. A huge thrust. And that is what will keep India the fastest growing large economy,” he said.
“Exports will play a very important role in our effort.”
He also underlined a calibrated trade policy approach — protecting sensitive sectors such as agriculture while opening markets in areas that benefit consumers.
“When we allow high quality pharma products or super expensive complicated medical devices to come to India at lower or zero duty, we are serving 1.4 billion consumers. We are also a stakeholder in the development,” he added.
With the Export Promotion Mission now underway, the government is betting on MSMEs, startups, global infrastructure, and high-tech investments to power India’s next phase of export-led growth and cement its position in global trade.