Emphasising the government’s commitment to export-led growth, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), M. Nagaraju on Tuesday highlighted the key components of the Export Promotion Mission at the Exim Bank Trade Conclave 2025, held in New Delhi.
Speaking at the event, Nagaraju said the mission, with clearly defined sectoral and ministerial targets, is designed to enhance India’s global trade competitiveness. It aims to ensure easy access to export credit, promote cross-border factoring support, and help MSMEs navigate non-tariff barriers in overseas markets.
“The financial system today is robustly positioned to meet the needs of Indian exporters and fuel sustained trade growth as part of the Viksit Bharat vision,” Nagaraju noted.
He added that recent reductions in customs duties are further improving export prospects in priority sectors.
He also underscored the role of Exim Bank and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, highlighting that exports catalysed through the PLI initiative have already exceeded ₹5.3 lakh crore, showcasing the effectiveness of targeted financial support mechanisms.
Nagaraju pointed out that bank interest rates remain aligned to the financial needs of exporters, particularly MSMEs, ensuring consistent capital flow to facilitate their global expansion.
Finance Minister Outlines Five Pillars of Export Strategy
Delivering the keynote address at the conclave, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined five major steps taken by the government to empower exporters:
She said, firstly, there has been significant investments in transport and logistics, which is improving supply chain efficiency and global competitiveness.
Secondly, MSMEs are being supported through key initiatives such as revision in definition of MSMEs, Udyam registration, revamp of Credit Guarantee Schemes, TReDS, and Exim Bank’s Ubharte Sitaare Programme.
Thirdly, there is a focus on enhancing access to trade finance through platforms like ITFS and Exim Bank’s subsidiary in GIFT City, Exim Finserve, which is offering export factoring.
Fourthly, cluster development for trade is being pursued under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, enabling exporters to operate beyond SEZs and directly from their local districts.
Finally, India is actively negotiating FTAs with several geographies, with the agreement with the USA also close to finalisation.
Exim Bank’s Role in Building Export Capacity
At the event, Exim Bank Managing Director Harsha Bangari said the bank’s initiatives—such as the Trade Assistance Programme (TAP)—have enabled Indian companies to scale up export capacity and take on complex overseas projects.
She noted that one-third of the exporters supported under TAP are MSMEs, with outreach across 60 cities in 20 states. In FY 2025 alone, Exim Finserve facilitated 587 export factoring transactions under open account trade.
Additionally, under the Ubharte Sitaare Programme, Exim Bank has provided financial assistance worth ₹1,522 crore to 85 identified future champions, including 7 equity investments. Technical support has also been extended to leading incubators at IITs, IIMs, and IISc to nurture early-stage ventures.
Further, the Finance Minister also inaugurated new Exim Bank offices in Lucknow, Indore, and São Paulo, Brazil, expanding India’s trade facilitation footprint. She also presented sanction letters to select SMEs under the Ubharte Sitaare Programme during the event.
