Govt to Fund Certification Costs for Small Exporters

The Centre will cover the full cost of expensive certifications required by micro and small enterprises to enter international markets under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced.

Speaking to the media during his two-day visit to Berlin, Germany, Goyal encouraged current and aspiring exporters to contact the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for help with certification procedures and compliance with overseas regulations.

He said micro and small businesses would receive assistance in meeting European Union rules, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the EU Deforestation Regulation. Other businesses would receive financial support based on a graded system.

The Export Promotion Mission, approved in November last year, has a total budget of ₹25,060 crore for six financial years. It operates through two components: Niryat Protsahan, allocated ₹10,401 crore, and Niryat Disha, with funding of ₹14,659 crore.

During his Germany visit, Goyal also highlighted India’s growing importance as a destination for manufacturing, research, development and innovation. He noted that German businesses increasingly see India as a strategic partner, beyond its role as a major consumer market.

The minister held discussions with representatives of Siemens Healthcare, Bertelsmann Investment, Volkswagen and Skoda to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment.

Goyal said Germany’s strengths in precision engineering and research, combined with India’s skilled workforce and manufacturing potential, could enhance India’s competitiveness in global markets. He also stressed the scope for cooperation in services, talent exchange, innovation, product design and joint manufacturing.

Approximately 2,000 German companies are currently operating in India, highlighting the strong industrial and commercial partnership between the two countries.