India Will Foot the Bill for Export Certifications of Micro and Small Enterprises

At a press briefing in Berlin, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled a bold step: the government will pay the full cost of export certifications for micro‑ and small‑scale enterprises. The promise is part of the Export Promotion Mission, a scheme designed to make it easier for tiny firms to step onto the world stage.

“We are ready to support anyone who wants to export, anywhere,” Goyal said, his tone a mix of determination and optimism. “For micro and small businesses, we will literally take care of the entire cost of certification and, if there are any other expensive procedures, we’ll help with those too.” He urged both seasoned exporters and newcomers to approach the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to tap into the assistance.

The move comes as many small players struggle with the hefty fees tied to international standards – from quality checks to environmental rules like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation‑related certifications. Goyal hinted that the government is also looking at approving domestic verification agencies, a step that could shave off a lot of the compliance burden.

Beyond the paperwork, the minister highlighted the long‑standing commercial ties between India and Germany. Roughly 2,000 Indian companies operate in Germany, some for over a century, and Goyal believes there is “immense possibility for the future,” especially for MSMEs that can now link up with German metal standards and other benchmarks.

India’s export landscape is already shifting. High‑tech exports are on the rise, agricultural and fisheries shipments have crossed the Rs 5 lakh crore mark, and about 10 lakh vehicles are shipped abroad each year, primarily to Japan, Latin America and Africa. Goyal even floated the idea of boosting that figure to 50 lakh, with Indian‑made cars soon cruising European roads.

In short, the government’s new financial backing is meant to strip away a major barrier for tiny firms – the cost of getting certified – and to spur a wave of new, export‑ready businesses that can compete globally.