Piyush Goyal Meets Industry To Boost Exports Post India–New Zealand FTA
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal chaired a high-level meeting with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and industry associations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on April 27, to chart strategies for strengthening India’s export ecosystem following the signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
The meeting, attended by representatives from 30 EPCs, apex industry chambers and senior officials from the Department of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), focused on navigating evolving global trade dynamics and accelerating export growth.
Addressing the gathering, Goyal highlighted that India’s total merchandise and services exports reached a record US$ 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, reflecting a 4.22 percent year-on-year growth. He noted that key sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems and jewellery, and agri-based products have sustained export momentum despite global challenges.
Emphasising the Government’s long-term vision, the Minister said the milestone should act as a springboard towards achieving US$ 2 trillion in exports by 2030 under the Viksit Bharat initiative. He urged exporters to fully leverage Free Trade Agreements with developed economies to expand market access, boost shipments, and generate employment.
During the session, the DGFT presented a comprehensive overview of export performance, ongoing reforms, and a structured framework for achieving measurable outcomes. The presentation covered sectoral performance, a KPI-based approach for EPCs, promotion of e-commerce exports, the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, the proposed Digital Trade Academy, and steps taken in response to the West Asia crisis. It also highlighted progress under the Export Promotion Mission and efforts to expedite Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODC).
Industry representatives raised concerns around compliance costs, testing requirements, and challenges faced by MSMEs in accessing export markets. Responding to these, the Minister assured continued government support through targeted interventions, policy facilitation, and measures to improve ease of doing business.
The meeting saw participation from key organisations including FIEO, GJEPC, AEPC, CLE, EEPC India, CHEMEXCIL, TEXPROCIL, MATEXIL, CEPC, EPCH, APEDA, SEAI, PHARMEXCIL, NASSCOM, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and PHDCCI, among others.
