The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted the government’s introduction of the Market Access Support Intervention scheme under the Export Promotion Mission as a significant move in enhancing India’s export strategy. This initiative aims to strengthen international market access for Indian exporters, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and first-time exporters. The scheme addresses structural barriers that have hindered India’s exporters from engaging effectively in global value chains.
PHDCCI President Rajeev Juneja emphasized that the Market Access Support Intervention (MAS) provides essential institutional and financial backing for activities like international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and reverse buyer-seller meets. By reducing entry barriers and enhancing buyer discovery for Indian firms, MAS is designed to improve the participation of Indian exporters in global markets.
The Export Promotion Mission, with a budget of Rs 25,060 crore spanning from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, integrates various export support schemes into a cohesive framework. It combines financial assistance through Niryat Protsahan, including interest subvention, collateral support, and credit enhancement, with non-financial support systems under Niryat Disha, focusing on quality certification, branding, logistics facilitation, and market access initiatives. These measures collectively aim to enhance market readiness, simplify compliance requirements, and boost global competitiveness.
To foster diversified export growth, MAS incorporates cost-sharing mechanisms, a mandatory minimum of 35% MSME participation, and special backing for priority sectors. Additionally, small exporters with turnovers up to Rs 75 lakh benefit from partial airfare support, easing their participation challenges. This move signifies a transition towards outcome-driven, data-centric export promotion strategies, as highlighted by Juneja.
India’s evolving international trade strategy in 2025 includes the signing of significant Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to bolster support for exporters. Notably, the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in July 2025 aims to expand market access in a major G7 economy across goods and services. This agreement is expected to reduce export costs and enhance competitiveness in key sectors such as engineering goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and professional services.
In December 2025, India also inked a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman, strengthening trade ties in the Gulf region, particularly for labor-intensive goods and services. Furthermore, a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand secured zero-duty access for all Indian exporters, creating fresh opportunities in the Oceania region. These FTAs collectively broaden India’s preferential trading network, while reducing trade barriers in crucial markets, as noted by PHDCCI CEO and Secretary General, Ranjeet Mehta.
