Govt to Fully Fund Certification Costs for Micro, Small Exporters, Says Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the government is willing to bear the entire cost of expensive certifications for micro and small enterprises under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), aiming to help Indian exporters access global markets.

Goyal urged existing and prospective exporters across sectors to approach the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to avail themselves of the assistance, including support for meeting stringent European Union regulations.

“We are willing to support everybody who wants to export anywhere in the world,” Goyal told reporters here, adding that the government would cover the entire cost of particularly expensive certifications and processes for micro and small enterprises.

The support will also cover compliance requirements under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for these enterprises. Other businesses will receive assistance on a graded basis.

Approved in November last year, the EPM has an outlay of Rs 25,060 crore over six financial years. It comprises two sub-schemes: Niryat Protsahan, with Rs 10,401 crore, and Niryat Disha, with Rs 14,659 crore.

A component of the mission, Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE), provides financial assistance to exporters for international testing, inspection, certification and other conformity requirements. Eligible micro, small and medium enterprises must possess a valid Importer Exporter Code and Udyam registration.

Under TRACE, assistance covers 60 per cent of eligible costs, up to Rs 25 lakh, for certifications on the Positive List, and 75 per cent, up to Rs 25 lakh, for those on the Priority Positive List. The annual assistance ceiling is Rs 25 lakh per exporter.

The support comes amid concerns that stringent European regulations could increase compliance expenses and weaken the competitiveness of Indian products.

India's exports to the EU declined 4.57 per cent to USD 72.4 billion in 2025-26, from USD 75.85 billion a year earlier. Imports rose 9 per cent to USD 66.18 billion during the same period.