Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention is a government-backed programme that provides financial and institutional assistance to Indian exporters, especially MSMEs and first-time exporters, to help them access and expand into international markets through curated trade fairs, buyer–seller meets, delegations, and market-engagement activities.
Market Access Support Intervention
Initiative Under
- Implemented under the NIRYAT DISHA sub-scheme
- Part of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM)
- Jointly implemented by:
- Department of Commerce
- Ministry of MSME
- Ministry of Finance
Aim
- Strengthen global market access for Indian exporters
- Support MSMEs & first-time exporters
- Promote export diversification into new & emerging markets
- Enable predictable, structured, outcome-driven export promotion
Key Features of MAS Intervention
Market Access & Trade Engagement
- Support for:
- Buyer–Seller Meets (BSMs)
- Mega Reverse BSMs
- International trade fairs & exhibitions
- Trade delegations & sector-focused events
Advance & Structured Planning
- 3–5 year rolling calendar of approved market-access events
- Ensures continuity, predictability & strategic planning
MSME-Focused Participation
- Minimum 35% mandatory MSME participation in supported events
- Priority to:
- First-time exporters
- Smaller firms
- New & smaller markets (export diversification)
Financial Rationalisation
- Event-wise financial ceilings & cost-sharing norms rationalised
- Preferential support for priority sectors & markets
- Partial airfare support for exporters with turnover up to ₹75 lakh
Delegation & Event Structuring
- Minimum 50 participants per delegation (flexible based on relevance)
- Encourages scale & meaningful buyer engagement
Digital Governance & Monitoring
- End-to-end online processes via trade.gov.in
- Event listing
- Proposal submission
- Approvals & onboarding
- Fund release & monitoring
Outcome-Based Feedback System
- Mandatory online feedback on:
- Buyer quality
- Leads generated
- Market relevance
- Enables data-driven refinement of guidelines
Technology & Innovation Push
- Upcoming component for:
- Proof-of-Concepts
- Product demonstrations for tech-intensive & sunrise sectors
Significance
- Enhances global competitiveness of Indian exports
- Improves buyer access, visibility & market intelligence
- Reduces entry barriers for MSMEs & new exporters
- Supports export diversification beyond traditional sectors & markets
- Strengthens structured, outcome-linked export promotion
What is Export Promotion Mission (EPM)?
A flagship initiative announced in Union Budget 2025-26 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness, especially:
- MSMEs
- First-time exporters
- Labour-intensive sectors
Outlay
- ₹25,060 crore
- Period: FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31
Key Objectives
- Shift from fragmented schemes to a single, adaptive, outcome-based framework
- Enable digitally driven & flexible export support ecosystem
Institutional Framework
Anchored by:
- Department of Commerce
- Ministry of MSME
- Ministry of Finance
- Export Promotion Councils, Boards, Financial Institutions, States & Industry Bodies
Integrated Sub-Schemes Under EPM
NIRYAT PROTSAHAN
- Improves access to affordable trade finance
- Instruments include:
- Interest subvention
- Export factoring
- Credit guarantees
- Credit cards for e-commerce exporters
- Credit support for market diversification
NIRYAT DISHA
- Focuses on non-financial enablers such as:
- Quality & compliance support
- International branding & packaging
- Participation in global trade events
- Export warehousing & logistics
- Inland transport reimbursements
- Trade intelligence & capacity building
Consolidation of Existing Schemes
- Integrates legacy schemes such as:
- Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES)
- Market Access Initiative (MAI)
- Aligns support with contemporary trade challenges
Structural Challenges Addressed
- Limited & costly trade finance access
- High international compliance costs
- Weak export branding & fragmented promotion
- Logistics disadvantages in low-export regions
Priority Support Sectors
- Textiles
- Leather
- Gems & Jewellery
- Engineering goods
- Marine products
- Sectors affected by recent global tariff escalations
Implementation
- DGFT as implementing agency
- Fully digital application-to-disbursal workflow
- Integrated with existing trade systems
Key Facts
- DGFT HQ – New Delhi
- Ministry of Commerce & Industry administers export promotion policy in India
- MSME sector share in India’s exports – approx. 45–48% (varies by year)
- Major export promotion bodies:
- FIEO – Federation of Indian Export Organisations
- Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) across sectors