The Department of Commerce and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) have launched a nationwide free trade agreement (FTA) awareness and capacity-building programme to help businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), use trade pacts to expand exports. The initiative will include district-level opportunity mapping and support for companies seeking overseas markets. ITPO chairman Jawed Ashraf said the organisation was developing a district-wise opportunity map with the Department of Commerce. It is also establishing a trade development promotion wing staffed by professionals and will organise trade missions abroad to connect Indian businesses with international buyers. ITPO, an agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, promotes India’s external and domestic trade through buyer-seller programmes, international trade missions and support for the globalisation of MSMEs. As part of the new initiative, it plans to establish trade offices in Europe and subsequently in other regions to provide on-ground assistance to smaller businesses. The support is intended to help MSMEs understand market opportunities, meet regulatory requirements and benefit from preferential access available under FTAs. The programme will also provide assistance as companies enter European markets, where Indian exporters are expected to receive wider access after the India-EU agreement is implemented. India and the European Union concluded negotiations for their FTA on January 27. The agreement is undergoing the EU’s legal and approval processes and is expected to be signed by the end of 2026. Under its terms, about 99 per cent of India’s exports will attract zero duty in the EU. India’s exports to the EU stood at $72.4 bn in FY26, and the government has set an objective of doubling shipments to the bloc over the next three to four years. Ashraf said the agreement could strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Europe amid changes in geopolitics, energy security, defence procurement, technology, innovation and competitiveness.