Export promotion of small and medium sized enterprises in India

This dissertation focuses on the effectiveness of export promotion policies and innovation for Indian SMEs in enhancing the international competitiveness and revenues. SMEs have been established as a critical sector for the economic growth of India providing estimates to Gross Domestic Product employment and exports. But constraints including restricted credit, increase in regulatory issues, and lack of technology negatively affect their market in the global marketplace. These challenges are assessed in relation to important government measures, such as the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), Market Access Initiative (MAI), and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC). Through a method of qualitative research and secondary data collection and analysis, the paper finds that although, medium sized enterprise benefit from these policies, the small SMEs encounter challenges of access to these policies and support structures due to administrative drawbacks. Competitiveness is also created through innovation of SMEs especially in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceutical and engineering. The results indicate the necessity of strengthening policy accessibility for more effective sustainable and balanced development and for the promotion of innovative approaches. The various other areas of economic impacts of SME exports such as employment potential and regional development are also stated. Proposals are on enhancing policy communication to emerging SMEs, incorporating support for innovation, and synchronizing export campaigns with the nation's economic development objectives. This research advances the knowledge of the relationship viii between the government's policy and innovation ransom and SME export performance recommendations for the policymakers and relevant stakeholders.