Shri Piyush Goyal interacted with representatives of Export Promotion Councils on October 28, 2026, to discuss global trade challenges and measures to enhance India’s export competitiveness.
On October 28, 2026, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, interacted with representatives of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) in New Delhi. The discussion aimed to review the prevailing export scenario, discuss emerging opportunities and challenges in international trade, and deliberate on measures to further strengthen India’s export competitiveness.
During the interaction, Shri Goyal highlighted the evolving global trade environment characterized by geopolitical uncertainties, changes in tariff structures, supply chain realignments, and emerging regulatory requirements in major international markets. He noted that these developments pose challenges for exporters but also present opportunities for India to strengthen its position as a reliable and competitive global trading partner.
Shri Goyal emphasized the need for Indian industry to remain agile and responsive to the changing international business environment. He encouraged exporters to focus on improving product quality, innovation, cost competitiveness, reliability of supply, and compliance with international standards to enhance India’s participation in global value chains.
Referring to his recent international engagements, including his visits to Germany and the Netherlands, Shri Goyal highlighted the growing interest in India as a manufacturing, sourcing, and investment destination. He stressed the importance of translating these engagements into tangible business outcomes through sustained interaction between Indian industry and overseas businesses.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of effectively leveraging the opportunities arising from India's expanding network of Free trade agreements and economic partnerships. He emphasized that preferential market access under Free Trade Agreements must translate into increased exports, greater market penetration, and wider participation of Indian enterprises in international trade.
Shri Goyal also emphasized the need for a focused approach towards product and market diversification in response to changing global demand and emerging supply chain opportunities. He encouraged EPCs to identify products with untapped export potential, explore new destinations, and develop market-specific strategies.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to facilitating exports, the Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to improve ease of doing business, strengthen trade infrastructure, and address challenges faced by exporting enterprises. He referred to the Export Promotion Mission as an important initiative for addressing constraints related to export finance, market access, and international competitiveness, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Highlighting the contribution of MSMEs to India’s export ecosystem, Shri Goyal called upon EPCs to expand their outreach to smaller enterprises, startups, new exporters, and businesses in emerging export clusters and districts. He stressed the need for practical handholding support, improved access to market intelligence, and greater integration of these enterprises into global markets.
The Minister further encouraged EPCs to adopt a more data-driven and outcome-oriented approach to export promotion. He emphasized the value of timely market intelligence, identification of sector-specific opportunities, monitoring of international trade trends, and resolution of operational bottlenecks.
He highlighted the need for greater collaboration among EPCs, industry associations, State Governments, and field formations of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Source:
Press Information Bureau
