On 27 April 2026, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal chaired a high‑level meeting at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi with representatives of 30 EPCs and major industry chambers. The gathering followed the signing of the India‑New Zealand FTA and aimed to chart a roadmap for strengthening India’s export ecosystem.
Key Developments
- India’s merchandise and services exports reached a record USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025‑26, a 4.22% YoY growth.
- The Minister reiterated the Viksit Bharat goal of USD 2 trillion exports by 2030 and urged full utilisation of existing FTAs.
- The DGFT presented a comprehensive export reform framework covering sectoral performance, KPI‑based monitoring for EPCs, e‑commerce exports, and the creation of a Digital Trade Academy.
- Industry bodies highlighted compliance costs, testing requirements and the difficulty for MSMEs to enter export markets.
- The Government assured continued facilitation through schemes, targeted interventions and an accelerated drive for the EODC issuance.
Important Facts
Key export‑driving sectors—engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems & jewellery and agri‑based products—maintained momentum despite global disruptions. The DGFT’s framework proposes:
- A KPI‑based performance matrix for each EPC to track market diversification.
- Designation of “Districts as Export Hubs” to decentralise export promotion.
- Launch of a Digital Trade Academy to up‑skill exporters on digital platforms.
- Special focus on the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to increase the active exporter base.
Exam Relevance
The meeting underscores the interplay of trade policy, industrial strategy and export‑led growth—core topics for GS 3 (Economy). Understanding the role of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the mechanisms of FTAs, and the challenges faced by MSMEs is essential for answering questions on India’s export strategy, trade negotiations and industrial policy.
Way Forward
To translate the USD 2 trillion target into reality, the Minister urged EPCs to:
- Expand the exporter base, especially by onboarding more MSMEs.
- Leverage existing FTAs for market diversification.
- Adopt technology‑driven solutions, including e‑commerce platforms and the forthcoming Digital Trade Academy.
- Collaborate with the DGFT to streamline compliance, testing and certification processes.
Simultaneously, the Government pledged to:
- Accelerate the issuance of EODC to unlock incentives.
- Provide targeted support schemes for sectors facing supply‑chain disruptions.
- Continue reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business for exporters.
Collectively, these measures aim to position India as a reliable global supply partner and to achieve the ambitious export target set under the Viksit Bharat vision.