Piyush Goyal Chairs Meet With EPCs, Urges Industry To Boost Exports

New Delhi, Apr 28 (KNN) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal chaired a meeting with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and industry bodies at Bharat Mandapam to strengthen India’s export ecosystem following the India–New Zealand FTA signing.

The meeting, attended by representatives of 30 EPCs along with officials from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and the Department of Commerce, focused on strategies to boost exports amid evolving global trade dynamics.

Piyush Goyal highlighted that India’s total merchandise and services exports reached a record USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, registering a growth of 4.22 per cent year-on-year. 

He emphasised that this momentum should be leveraged to achieve the USD 2 trillion export target by 2030 under the Viksit Bharat vision, urging industry to maximise benefits from Free Trade Agreements to expand market access and generate employment.

During the meeting, the DGFT presented a detailed export reform framework, outlining sectoral performance, a KPI-based monitoring system for EPCs, promotion of e-commerce exports, Districts as Export Hubs, and initiatives such as the proposed Digital Trade Academy. 

The framework also covered progress under the Export Promotion Mission and measures to expedite Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODC).

Industry representatives raised concerns regarding compliance costs, testing requirements, and challenges faced by MSMEs in accessing global markets. The Minister assured continued government support through targeted interventions and ease of doing business measures to address these issues.

Participants included key organisations such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Engineering Export Promotion Council of India, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, National Association of Software and Service Companies, and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, among others.

The Minister also reviewed progress under the Export Promotion Mission and urged EPCs to expand the exporter base and explore new markets. 

He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening a facilitative trade ecosystem through reforms, industry collaboration, and policy support aimed at sustaining export growth.

(KNN Bureau)