MSMEs account for nearly half of India’s merchandise exports, says government

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) now contribute nearly half of India’s total merchandise exports, reflecting their growing role in the country’s trade ecosystem, according to official data released on Monday.

The share of MSME-related products in India’s exports has shown a steady rise over the past three financial years—standing at 43.59% in 2022–23, increasing to 45.74% in 2023–24, and reaching 48.55% in 2024–25.

The government attributed this upward trend to a series of targeted initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs in both domestic and global markets. These include the expansion of Technology Centres and Extension Centres across the country to provide technical support and improve manufacturing capabilities.

Efforts to accelerate digital adoption among MSMEs have also played a key role, with enterprises increasingly leveraging e-commerce platforms, digital accounting systems, and government-backed networks such as the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) .

In addition, schemes promoting the adoption of green and energy-efficient technologies, such as the MSE-GIFT programme, have encouraged sustainable industrial practices through concessional financing.

Recent GST rationalisation measures have further reduced input costs, enabling MSMEs to scale up operations and strengthen their position in global markets.

To improve access to finance, the government has approved a Credit Guarantee Scheme offering collateral-free loans to exporters, including MSMEs, with a total credit support of up to ₹20,000 crore.

A key policy intervention is the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) , with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31 . The mission consolidates multiple schemes into a unified framework, focusing on both financial support and market readiness through its two components Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha.

The information was provided by Minister of State for MSME, Shobha Karandlaje, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.