In a significant move to strengthen India’s export ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness of Indian exporters in global markets, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued a series of Trade Notices introducing operational guidelines under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
Through Trade Notices 25 to 29/2025-26 dated 20th February 2026, DGFT has outlined a structured framework aimed at promoting alternative trade mechanisms, strengthening compliance capabilities, improving market intelligence, and facilitating logistics infrastructure for exporters.
These initiatives are designed to support exporters. particularly MSMEs by enabling better market access, efficient logistics, compliance with global standards, and data-driven export strategies.
The key components of the Export Promotion Mission include the following initiatives:
- Framework for Supporting Alternative Trade Instruments:
(Trade Notice No. 25/2025-26 dated 20.02.2026)
DGFT has issued guidelines establishing a structured framework to support alternative trade instruments and promotional initiatives that can enhance export opportunities beyond traditional trade mechanisms.
Key Objectives
- Promote innovative and non-traditional trade facilitation mechanisms
- Support initiatives that enhance export competitiveness
- Strengthen international trade promotion platforms
- Encourage strategic collaborations with trade bodies and export institutions
Key Features
- Development of export promotion initiatives focusing on emerging sectors and markets
- Support for trade facilitation platforms and digital tools that assist exporters in market access
- Collaboration with industry associations, export councils, and trade promotion bodies
- Promotion of alternative trade financing and trade engagement mechanisms
This framework is expected to provide exporters with access to new platforms for global trade engagement while improving the visibility of Indian products in emerging markets.
- TRACE – Trade Regulations, Accreditation, and Compliance Enablement:
(Trade Notice No. 26/2025-26 dated 20.02.2026)
DGFT has introduced the TRACE (Trade Regulations, Accreditation, and Compliance Enablement) initiative to help exporters comply with increasingly stringent international regulatory requirements.
Key Objectives
- Streamline accreditation procedures for exporters
- Strengthen India’s compliance ecosystem in line with global standards
- Assist exporters in meeting regulatory and certification requirements of importing countries
Key Features
- Development of compliance support systems for international trade standards
- Facilitation of product certification and accreditation frameworks
- Alignment with global regulatory regimes such as quality, sustainability, and safety standards
- Institutional support for exporters facing complex regulatory barriers
TRACE is expected to significantly reduce non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters by enabling easier access to certification, accreditation, and regulatory compliance frameworks across global markets.
- INSIGHT – Integrated Support for Trade Intelligence and Facilitation:
(Trade Notice No. 27/2025-26 dated 20.02.2026)
Recognising the growing importance of data-driven decision making in international trade, DGFT has launched INSIGHT (Integrated Support for Trade Intelligence and Facilitation).
Key Objectives
- Provide exporters with access to advanced market intelligence
- Enable data-driven export strategies
- Improve trade facilitation through integrated information systems
Key Features
- Creation of market intelligence tools and export analytics platforms
- Access to real-time trade data, demand trends, and global market insights
- Identification of emerging markets and sector-specific export opportunities
- Integration of export facilitation services into a unified information platform
INSIGHT will empower exporters to make informed strategic decisions, identify high-potential markets, and respond effectively to global trade dynamics.
- FLOW – Facilitating Logistics, Overseas Warehousing, and Fulfilment
(Trade Notice No. 28/2025-26 dated 20.02.2026)
Efficient logistics infrastructure is a critical component of export competitiveness. DGFT has therefore introduced FLOW (Facilitating Logistics, Overseas Warehousing, and Fulfilment) to strengthen international supply chains.
Key Objectives
- Support development of overseas warehousing infrastructure
- Improve international logistics efficiency
- Enhance supply chain resilience for exporters
Key Features
- Facilitation of overseas warehousing and distribution hubs
- Support for global fulfilment and last-mile delivery networks
- Assistance for exporters in establishing inventory and logistics operations abroad
- Integration with international logistics service providers
FLOW is expected to significantly improve the ability of Indian exporters to maintain overseas inventory, reduce delivery timelines, and improve customer service in global markets, particularly for e-commerce exports.
- LIFT – Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport
(Trade Notice No. 29/2025-26 dated 20.02.2026)
To address the challenge of high logistics costs in international trade, DGFT has introduced LIFT (Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport).
Key Objectives
- Reduce freight costs for exporters
- Improve transport efficiency across international trade corridors
- Support strategic logistics interventions
Key Features
- Framework for targeted freight and transport cost reduction initiatives
- Support for improved connectivity with global trade routes
- Identification of logistics bottlenecks affecting export competitiveness
- Collaboration with logistics providers and trade stakeholders
The LIFT initiative is expected to lower overall logistics costs, improve transport efficiency, and strengthen India’s position in global supply chains.
Conclusion
The introduction of these five initiatives under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) marks an important step towards building a modern, technology-driven, and globally integrated export ecosystem for India.
By addressing critical areas such as trade intelligence, regulatory compliance, logistics infrastructure, and cost efficiency, the DGFT aims to create a robust support system that enables Indian exporters to compete effectively in international markets.
Collectively, the initiatives TRACE, INSIGHT, FLOW, and LIFT, along with the broader framework for alternative trade instruments, reflect a strategic policy shift towards facilitating export growth through institutional support, data-driven insights, and improved logistics capabilities.
These reforms are expected to play a key role in advancing India’s export ambitions and strengthening the country’s integration into global value chains.
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