“Navigating the Government Connect: Unlock Grants, Subsidies, Policy Alignment & Zero-Cost Growth Opportunities”
Budget 2025-26:
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY - Department of Commerce Demand 10
8. Trade Infrastructure for Export Schemes (TIES):..This scheme provides funds for projects having an overwhelming export linkage like Border HAAT, land custom station, testing facility, test and certification lab, trade promotion centre, dry ports, export warehousing etc.
Outstanding prompt, Mukesh! The Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) is often hidden in the shadows of product-focused policies — but it’s actually a game-changer for startups and ecosystem enablers building physical and digital infrastructure that can power India's next-gen export economy.
TIES isn’t about running a business in exports — it’s about building the highways, logistics stations, and certification hubs for export. And that’s where agri-tech, food processing, logistics-tech, and traceability startups can shine by co-creating or managing infrastructure for sectors like AYUSH, horticulture, medicinal plants, millets, and more.
Let’s build your 14th playcard in the Navigating the Government Connect series with this fresh TIES focus:
🟢 Navigating the Government Connect
🔹 Budget 2025–26 | Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Scheme: Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)
Focus: Funding state-led and PPP trade infrastructure projects with strong export linkages, especially in agri, food, and marine sectors
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1️⃣ Budget Snapshot & Scheme Objective
TIES Supports Projects Like:
• Border HAATs and Land Custom Stations (LCS)
• Testing Labs and Certification Centres
• Export Warehouses, Dry Ports, Pack-houses
• Trade Promotion Centres and Cold Chains
• Digital Infrastructure for Export Facilitation
Eligibility Criteria:
• Must have clear export linkage (e.g., agri cluster targeting Gulf/ASEAN, AYUSH certification for EU market)
• Project must be initiated by a state government or implementing agency, with possible startup/private partner collaboration
• 40%–60% grant funding possible for approved infrastructure projects
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2️⃣ Analytical Insights
1. Infra is the choke point in India’s export dreams — our farmers/processors often lose export deals due to lack of certified storage, labs, and documentation points.
2. States are sitting on funds but lack operational partners — startups can step in with turnkey solutions, management partnerships, or tech systems to run these facilities.
3. Post-harvest & traceability infra can be export-oriented if co-located smartly (e.g., MPEDA packhouse near shrimp cluster, AYUSH test lab near medicinal plant zone).
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3️⃣ Who’s Being Reached & What Support Is Available
Target Stakeholders Support Type
State Govts / Implementing Agencies Capital assistance (up to 60%) for export-linked infra
Startups / PPP Partners Partnership opportunities to operate/manage facilities built under TIES
FPOs / Cooperatives Enablement via co-located packhouses, dry ports, certification labs
Exporting SMEs / Brands Access to subsidized infra for logistics, compliance, and promotion
Support Highlights:
• 40%–60% funding for project costs
• Emphasis on backward-forward linkage demonstration (e.g., agri cluster to export hub)
• Prioritization for north-eastern and coastal states, and products under One District One Product (ODOP)
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4️⃣ Startup Leverage Opportunities
A. 🧪 Mobile Testing & Export Certification Hubs
• Idea: "QuickCert+" – Moveable labs for pesticide, metal residue, microbial load testing (esp. for fresh produce, AYUSH, millets)
• Model: Partner with state export boards to run these under TIES capital grant
B. 🚚 Agri-Export Dry Port Aggregator
• Idea: "KrishiPort" – Mini dry ports with sorting, cold storage, grading, and customs pre-clearance for FPOs and exporters
• Bonus: Digitally integrated with APEDA, MPEDA, and DGFT export portals
C. 🛍️ Border HAAT Enablement for Value-Added Products
• Idea: "DesiHaat360" – Infrastructure and platform to sell packaged AYUSH/millet/tribal goods at border trade points (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan)
• Layer: Add e-commerce export window via ONDC or Amazon Global Selling
D. 🧊 Cluster-Wise Cold Chain Networks
• Idea: "ColdLinkX" – Digitally managed reefer stations and warehouses for export-focused clusters (shrimp, flowers, fruit pulp)
• Business Model: Lease/rental to exporters with TIES-funded fixed assets
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5️⃣ FOMO Triggers: What Startups Miss if They Don’t Act
❌ Left Out of India’s Export Infra Boom: If you're not co-creating TIES infra today, you’ll be forced to rent it tomorrow — from someone who did.
❌ Lost Voice in Cluster Planning: Infra is being mapped by states — if startups don’t show up, the infra will be outdated, underused, or poorly managed.
❌ Missed Recurring Revenue from Public Assets: TIES lets you operate facilities, not just build them. It’s infra-as-a-service for the new India.
❌ No Visibility in Trade Gateway Branding: The startups who co-build this infra will become default branding, logistics, and tech partners for export clusters.
