Exim Bank Conclave Pushes Export-Led Growth Vision

26 Jun 2025 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..