Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Exim Bank Trade Conclave 2025 that the bank’s pioneering Trade Assistance Programme (TAP) is opening high-risk markets to Indian exporters, with partnerships in more than 100 overseas banks enabling some 1,100 export deals across 51 countries since 2022.

She listed Government measures fuelling export-led growth: record investment in transport and logistics, fresh credit channels for MSMEs via ITFS and Exim Finserve, revamped guarantees and the Ubharte Sitaare scheme. Cluster-based trade is advancing under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, while free-trade agreements with the EU and the USA are nearing conclusion. Exports sparked by the production-linked incentive programme have already topped Rs 5.3 trillion, she added.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju underlined the stronger credit flow and robust financial system backing “Viksit Bharat”.

TAP milestones and new offices

Conclave speakers highlighted TAP’s role in plugging finance gaps for Indian firms. The Finance Minister virtually opened new Exim Bank offices in Lucknow, Indore and São Paulo, set to help exporters reach fresh markets. Sanction letters were handed to SMEs under Ubharte Sitaare, and a technical-assistance pact was signed with IIT Kanpur to bolster high-potential start-ups.

Research releases

Three Exim Bank studies were launched covering critical minerals, defence exports and textile trade under the ASEAN-India pact, offering strategies to sharpen competitiveness.

The event drew more than 200 participants from industry, finance and academia, reinforcing Exim Bank’s message that targeted trade finance and policy reform are key to making India a global export powerhouse.