NEW DELHI : Emphasizing that exports must become a top governance priority, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has set an ambitious target of achieving $1 trillion in total exports for the current financial year.
Addressing the Board of Trade (BoT) meeting in New Delhi on Friday, Goyal unveiled a comprehensive seven-point action agenda aimed at accelerating India’s export growth through closer coordination between the Centre, state governments, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), and industry bodies.
The ambitious $1 trillion goal envisions approximately $530 billion in merchandise exports and $470 billion in services exports, representing robust double-digit growth from the previous year.
Driving Growth: BHAVYA Scheme and Labour Reforms
Reviewing the nation’s trade performance, the Minister highlighted that India recorded its highest-ever exports of $863 billion in FY 2025-26, registering a 4.6% growth despite freight disruptions and slowing global demand.
To build on this momentum, Goyal urged states to actively participate in the BHAVYA Industrial Parks Scheme and expedite the notification of labour rules under the new labour codes, describing land and labour as the two most critical enablers of business.
He also directed states to establish dedicated export committees, conduct monthly reviews of district-level export performance, and align state policies with central schemes. To reduce compliance costs, the Centre pledged support for establishing top-tier testing facilities in government and university laboratories.
The ₹25,000-Crore Export Promotion Mission
A major highlight of the meeting was the Centre’s newly launched Export Promotion Mission (EPM). The ₹25,000-crore initiative, jointly implemented by the Ministries of Commerce, MSME, and Finance, is designed to support MSME-led exports.
Operating through its two core pillars—NIRYAT PROTSAHAN and NIRYAT DISHA—the mission will assist businesses in obtaining international certifications, accessing overseas trade intelligence, securing trade finance, and building Brand India globally. Goyal encouraged industries facing unfair trade practices to approach the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) for anti-dumping and safeguard relief.
Furthermore, the Minister announced a massive 90-day export drive under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, targeting 120 priority districts across 27 states and Union Territories.
“We are cosy and comfortable in our domestic market, but to get into the export market, we need scale, quality, and outreach. The whole world is our stage, but the actors have to come from within India,” Goyal remarked, urging first-time exporters to leverage Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras for cross-border e-commerce.
Boosting High-Tech Manufacturing and PLI Success
The Board of Trade also reviewed key presentations on the country’s expanding data-center ecosystem and electronics manufacturing under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Notably, Apple India Managing Director Virat Bhatia highlighted that mobile phone production under the PLI program has reached an impressive ₹6.25 lakh crore.
Concluding the summit, Goyal expressed strong confidence that with a unified “Team India” approach, the $1 trillion export target is highly achievable and will significantly accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a globally competitive, self-reliant, and developed nation.
