Niryat Bandhu Scheme

The Niryat Bandhu Scheme is an initiative launched by the Government of India, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to promote and support entrepreneurship in international trade. The term “Niryat Bandhu” translates to “Export Friend”, signifying the government’s role as a mentor to aspiring exporters. The scheme aims to educate, guide, and handhold first-generation entrepreneurs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and new exporters to enhance India’s participation in global trade.

Background and Introduction

The Niryat Bandhu Scheme was formally launched in October 2011 as part of India’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2009–14. The initiative was conceived in response to the need for structured capacity building among small and new business owners who faced challenges in understanding export procedures, documentation, market access, and compliance requirements.
Recognising that India’s export potential depends significantly on MSMEs and new entrants into foreign trade, the DGFT designed this scheme to provide mentorship-based training and practical guidance to help businesses become globally competitive.

Objectives

The key objectives of the Niryat Bandhu Scheme are:

• To create awareness among new entrepreneurs about export–import procedures and opportunities.
• To build capacity of MSMEs and first-time exporters through structured mentoring and training.
• To promote entrepreneurship in international trade, especially among youth and women.
• To enhance India’s export competitiveness by increasing the number of skilled and compliant exporters.
• To strengthen linkages between government agencies, export promotion councils, and industry bodies for coordinated support.

Target Beneficiaries

The scheme primarily focuses on:

• First-time exporters seeking to enter the global market.
• Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) looking to expand their business internationally.
• Students and young entrepreneurs aspiring to build a career in foreign trade.
• Women entrepreneurs and start-ups aiming to explore export opportunities.
• Artisans, self-help groups, and rural enterprises involved in traditional or indigenous products suitable for export.

Implementation and Mechanism

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) serves as the nodal implementing authority of the Niryat Bandhu Scheme. The scheme operates through DGFT’s Regional Authorities (RAs) across India in coordination with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), industry associations, and educational institutions.
Its implementation strategy involves:

1. Outreach and Training Programmes
   • DGFT officials, known as Niryat Bandhus, conduct workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions on topics such as export documentation, procedures, customs clearance, foreign exchange management, and trade finance.
   • These programmes are often organised in collaboration with state governments, industry bodies like FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations), and local chambers of commerce.
2. Capacity Building and Mentorship
   • The scheme focuses on “handholding” new exporters throughout the export process, from registration to post-shipment documentation.
   • Beneficiaries receive practical exposure through case studies, product-specific sessions, and trade facilitation guidance.
3. Integration with Academic Institutions
   • DGFT has partnered with universities and management institutes to include export–import modules in academic curricula.
   • The Niryat Bandhu @ Your College initiative encourages students to learn about international business and trade policies.
4. Digital and e-Learning Initiatives
   • With the advent of digitalisation, the DGFT launched an online knowledge platform, “Niryat Bandhu Online”, to extend reach through e-training and webinars.
   • The DGFT Trade Portal provides resources, guidelines, and updates related to export incentives and compliance.

Major Activities and Focus Areas

The Niryat Bandhu Scheme covers a comprehensive range of subjects relevant to international trade, including:

• Export–import documentation and registration procedures.
• Market identification and export promotion strategies.
• International marketing, branding, and e-commerce exports.
• Quality standards, packaging, and certification requirements.
• Customs procedures, logistics, and trade finance mechanisms.
• Government incentives and benefits under India’s Foreign Trade Policy.
• Risk management, payment terms, and foreign exchange regulations.

In addition, special focus is given to promoting exports from niche sectors such as handicrafts, textiles, agricultural products, marine goods, and engineering items.

Collaboration and Institutional Linkages

The scheme functions through collaboration among various stakeholders:

• DGFT Regional Authorities act as the primary implementing bodies.
• Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Commodity Boards provide industry-specific support.
• Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and Chambers of Commerce assist in conducting training sessions.
• Ministry of MSME and State Governments support in identifying potential exporters and providing local infrastructure.
• Academic institutions contribute to skill development and research in international business.

Achievements and Impact

Since its inception, the Niryat Bandhu Scheme has achieved several milestones:

• Conducted thousands of training and awareness programmes across the country, reaching over 50,000 participants annually.
• Enhanced the export readiness of MSMEs, enabling many to become first-time exporters.
• Improved compliance awareness, reducing procedural delays and trade documentation errors.
• Promoted a culture of entrepreneurship in global trade among students and start-ups.
• Facilitated integration of digital learning and e-governance tools in trade capacity building.

Challenges

Despite its progress, the Niryat Bandhu Scheme faces certain challenges:

• Limited outreach in rural and remote areas, where export potential remains underutilised.
• Resource constraints affecting frequency and depth of training programmes.
• Need for advanced digital infrastructure to expand online training modules.
• Low awareness among micro-enterprises about global market requirements.
• Insufficient follow-up mechanisms to track beneficiaries’ progress post-training.

Future Prospects

The government aims to strengthen the scheme further through:

• Integration with Digital India and Skill India initiatives for broader capacity building.
• Expansion of online training modules and multilingual content for wider accessibility.
• Collaboration with start-up incubators and export clusters to nurture innovative export ventures.
• Development of a National Export Mentorship Network, connecting experienced exporters with new entrants.
• Alignment with India’s Foreign Trade Policy 2023 to enhance the contribution of MSMEs to national exports.