SYLLABUS
GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilisation of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
Context: Recently, the Government of India launched the Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to Strengthen Global Market Access for Indian Exporters.
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- This is the first of eleven components of the Export Promotion Mission for which guidelines have been issued.
- The remaining ten components are expected to be notified by January 31, 2026.
- The Market Access Support component has been allocated ₹4,531 crore for the six-year period from 2025–26 to 2030–31, with ₹500 crore earmarked for the current financial year.
- Out of this amount, ₹330 crore will be used to clear pending liabilities of the earlier Market Access Initiative scheme.
Market Access Support (MAS) Guidelines
- The MAS Intervention is being implemented under the NIRYAT DISHA sub-scheme of EPM and is aimed at strengthening international market access for Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs, first-time exporters and firms from priority sectors.
- Under the MAS Intervention, Financial assistance will be provided for buyer-seller meets, international trade fairs, exhibitions, trade delegations and mega reverse buyer seller meets held in India.
- Assistance is capped at ₹5 crore per buyer seller meet or trade delegation and ₹10 crore per mega reverse buyer seller meet.
- Government funding will generally cover 60 percent of approved costs while industry will contribute 40 percent.
- A minimum of 35 percent participation of MSMEs has been mandated for supported events.
- Each firm can receive assistance for up to three buyer seller meets per financial year while MSMEs can participate in up to four.
- Financial support is limited to two delegates per firm to ensure wider distribution of benefits.
- Partial airfare reimbursement will be provided to eligible exporters, with special support for small exporters having a turnover up to ₹75 lakh.
About Export Promotion Mission (EPM)
- The mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025 and received Cabinet approval in November 2025, with the aim to boost India’s exports.
- It is jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Finance in coordination with Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards and other industry associations.
- The Export Promotion Mission has an overall outlay of ₹25,060 crore for the period 2025–26 to 2030–31.
- It is structured around two pillars:
- Niryat Protsahan (Financial Support) focuses on reducing export financing costs through interest subvention and credit support.
- Niryat Disha (Non-Financial Support) focuses on market access, capacity building and institutional support for exporters.
Objectives of Export Promotion Mission
- To improve market access for Indian exporters in priority and emerging global markets.
- To support MSMEs and first-time exporters in overcoming entry barriers.
- To enhance buyer engagement through structured and outcome-oriented interventions.
- To reduce financial constraints faced by exporters, particularly MSMEs.
Significance of the Mission
- It provides predictable and long-term policy support for export promotion.
- It strengthens India’s presence in global markets amid rising protectionism and tariffs.
- It ensures wider participation by MSMEs and small exporters through mandated reservations and caps.
- It improves accountability through digital platforms and mandatory feedback mechanisms.
- It supports priority sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and emerging services.