The Indian government has launched a Rs 4,531 crore market access support (MAS) scheme spanning six years from FY26 to FY31 to expand the global reach and competitiveness of the country’s exporters. The structured, outcome oriented programme is part of a broader Rs 25,060 crore export promotion mission approved by the Union Cabinet in November and is aimed at improving visibility for Indian goods in priority and emerging markets.
India market access support scheme to focus on MSMEs and priority sectors
Officials said the MAS will target first time exporters and firms from priority sectors such as agriculture, leather, handloom, toys and micro, small and medium enterprises. The Department of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade intend the interventions to address long term challenges faced by exporters rather than act as a short term response to tariff measures taken by trading partners.
During the current fiscal year an initial allocation of Rs 500 crore has been set aside for the scheme. Authorities have also committed to clearing arrears of approximately Rs 330 crore at the earliest. In parallel the government is preparing an interest equalisation scheme of over Rs 5,000 crore which will be notified soon.
The MAS will provide structured financial and institutional support to a range of promotional activities, including buyer seller meets, participation in overseas trade fairs and exhibitions, large reverse buyer seller meets held in India and trade delegations to priority and emerging export markets. A forward looking three to five year calendar of major market access events will be prepared and approved in advance to help exporters and organising agencies plan participation.
To widen beneficiary coverage and encourage export diversification, the scheme mandates a minimum participation of 35 per cent MSMEs at supported events, with special emphasis on new geographies and smaller markets. Financial support ceilings and cost sharing ratios for event level assistance have been rationalised to give preferential support to priority sectors and markets.
Small exporters with export turnover of up to Rs 75 lakh in the preceding year will be eligible for partial airfare support, an incentive designed to encourage new and smaller firms to attend international events. The commerce ministry said the scheme will aim to diversify both export products and recipients so that a broader range of exporters can benefit.
Officials also plan to create an index to evaluate exporter performance across the life of the scheme. The index will inform future allocations and help measure whether the market access interventions are delivering the intended outcomes.
The launch comes as exporters navigate trade challenges, including recent tariffs imposed by some markets. Government representatives emphasised that MAS is intended to tackle structural disabilities and improve competitiveness rather than to directly counter individual tariff actions. The shift reflects a broader move away from direct export subsidies towards targeted remission mechanisms such as Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies.
Officials said the new scheme, combined with planned interest support, aims to strengthen smaller exporters and broaden India’s presence in new and emerging international markets.
Key Takeaways:
- India launches a Rs 4,531 crore market access support scheme for FY26–31 to strengthen export reach and competitiveness.
- The scheme prioritises first-time exporters and MSMEs across agriculture, leather, handloom, toys and other sectors, with a 35% MSME participation mandate.
- Support includes funding for trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, partial airfare for small exporters and a new exporter performance index.
- Initial allocation of Rs 500 crore for the current year and clearance of Rs 330 crore in arrears; a Rs 5,000 crore interest equalisation scheme is planned.
