Government Launches Market Access Support for Export Growth
Why in the News?
The Government of India has launched the Market Access Support (MAS) scheme under the ₹25,060 crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to provide structured financial and institutional assistance to exporters, especially MSMEs, for expanding India’s footprint in global markets.

Market Access Support Scheme: Key Features
- The Market Access Support (MAS) scheme is the first intervention rolled out under the ambitious Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
- It aims to help Indian exporters access new markets, diversify products, and integrate into global value chains.
- The scheme provides structured support for buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets, trade fairs, exhibitions, and similar market access initiatives.
- A key design feature is its focus on first-time exporters and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), ensuring inclusive export growth.
- For every supported trade delegation, at least 35% participation by MSMEs is mandatory, strengthening their role in India’s export ecosystem.
Implementation Strategy and Export Diversification Push
- The scheme seeks to offer predictable market-entry pathways, improved buyer engagement, and data-driven policy support to exporters.
- A forward-looking 3–5 year calendar of major international market access events will be prepared and approved in advance.
- This long-term planning enables exporters and organizing agencies to prepare well ahead and ensures continuity in market development efforts.
- Special priority is being given to new geographies and smaller markets to reduce over-dependence on traditional export destinations.
- Trade delegations will generally have a minimum of 50 participants, with flexibility based on market conditions and strategic importance.
About Export Promotion Mission and MSMEs: |
| ● The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a ₹25,060 crore umbrella initiative aimed at boosting India’s exports through coordinated policy and financial support. |
| ● MSMEs form the backbone of India’s export sector, contributing significantly to employment generation, value addition, and regional development. |
| ● Strengthening market access is crucial for MSMEs, which often face challenges like limited capital, weak global networks, and information asymmetry. |
| ● The MAS scheme introduces mandatory online feedback mechanisms to assess buyer quality, business leads, and market relevance. |
| ● Based on exporter feedback and implementation learnings, MAS guidelines will be progressively refined, ensuring adaptability, accountability, and long-term effectiveness in promoting sustained export growth. |