<h1>Merchant Exporters Now Included in Interest Equalisation Scheme to Boost MSME Competitiveness and Exports.</h1> The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the inclusion of merchant exporters in the Interest Equalisation Scheme for Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit, offering a 3% interest equalisation rate on exports of products under 416 tariff lines. This move aims to boost competitiveness and exports, particularly in MSME and labor-intensive sectors like agriculture, textiles, and handicrafts. The scheme, active since April 2015, benefits manufacturing exporters with a 3% rate and MSMEs with a 5% rate. The inclusion of merchant exporters is expected to enhance MSME production and employment by facilitating more exports.