MSME Ministry-DGFT Webinar: Exporters Get Finance, Certification, Logistics Support Under Export Promotion Mission

New Delhi, Sep 15 (KNN) The Ministry of MSME and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) held a webinar for exporters and stakeholders, highlighting a range of measures under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to ease financing, compliance, logistics and market-access challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The flagship mission, jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Finance, covers the exporter journey from market intelligence and product analysis to pre- and post-shipment finance, trade compliance, logistics and access to emerging markets.

TReDS Usage Surges Among MSMEs

The webinar highlighted the rapid expansion of invoice discounting through the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), which is aimed at addressing delayed payments and improving MSME liquidity.

The number of MSMEs on TReDS increased from 34,430 in April 2022 to 2.5 lakh in March 2026. Invoice discounting rose from Rs 40,000 crore in FY22 to Rs 3.47 lakh crore in FY26, while cumulative invoice discounting during 2021-26 stood at Rs 8.3 lakh crore.

Export Finance, Guarantees for MSMEs

Under EPM, MSME exporters can avail a 2.75 per cent interest subvention on eligible pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit, subject to a maximum assistance of Rs 50 lakh per exporter annually.

The mission also provides collateral support through CGTMSE, with guarantee coverage of 85 per cent for micro and small enterprises and 65 per cent for medium enterprises, up to Rs 10 crore per exporter.
For exporters seeking alternative financing, the mission supports export factoring with a 2.75 per cent interest subvention, capped at Rs 50 lakh per exporter.

Compliance Costs, Logistics Targeted

The Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE) component supports MSMEs in meeting international testing, inspection and certification requirements. The notified list of eligible certifications has expanded from 31 to 462.

Micro and small enterprises can receive reimbursement of 95 per cent of actual testing and certification costs, while medium enterprises can receive 80 per cent, with annual assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh per exporter.

The Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport (LIFT) component provides eligible MSMEs in notified districts partial reimbursement of freight costs, covering up to 30 per cent of actual eligible transport expenses, subject to a cap of Rs 2.2 lakh per exporter annually.

Push for E-Commerce, New Markets

The EPM also provides dedicated credit support for MSME e-commerce exporters. Guarantee cover can reach 90 per cent, capped at Rs 50 lakh, while overseas inventory and fulfilment facilities can receive up to 75 per cent guarantee cover capped at Rs 5 crore. A 2.75 per cent interest subvention is also available, capped at Rs 15 lakh per beneficiary MSME annually.

For MSMEs entering new or high-risk markets, the mission provides risk-sharing support for eligible trade finance transactions across 72 identified underserved markets. Support can range from 10 per cent to 90 per cent of transaction value, based on the applicable risk model.

The webinar also highlighted the Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) programme, which offers quality certification to Udyam-registered manufacturing MSMEs through Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, with zero certification cost for women-owned enterprises.

Overall, the EPM seeks to address major barriers for MSME exporters by combining access to affordable credit, credit guarantees, invoice financing, certification support, logistics assistance and market-access initiatives.

(KNN Bureau)