Enhanced export support measures urged to bridge the trade gap

Reacting to the October trade data, FIEO President, Mr S. C. Ralhan, said that the latest figures reflect a mixed trend, with a marginal decline in overall exports and a significant rise in imports, resulting in a wider trade deficit. India’s overall exports for October 2025 stood at US$ 72.89 billion, slightly lower than US$ 73.39 billion recorded in October 2024. Imports, however, increased sharply to US$ 94.70 billion, up from US$ 82.44 billion last year, leading to an overall trade deficit of US$ 21.80 billion for the month. 

Expressing concern over the widening trade gap, Mr Ralhan urged for decisive and timely policy intervention. He reiterated the need for enhanced export support measures, faster release of benefits under various schemes, improved and affordable credit access, and reduction of compliance burdens so that exporters can remain competitive in a challenging global environment. 

He also conveyed his appreciation to the government for its continued support under the Export Promotion Mission and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for exporters, as well as to the Reserve Bank of India for its timely trade-related relief measures, including the extension of export realisation periods, extended shipment timelines for advance-payment exports, relief on debt repayment for impacted sectors, and relaxations in export credit repayment. He, however, requested the RBI to extend the relief to all exporters impacted by the reciprocal tariff rather than restricting to specified sectors.  

FIEO remains optimistic that—with sustained policy support and gradual improvement in global demand conditions—India’s export sector is well-placed to recover strongly in the coming months, emphasised a release.

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