The government has begun discussions with stakeholders, including banks and regulators, to develop a 'Creditworthiness Index' as part of its push to improve credit access for micro and small businesses. The proposed index will rate companies across industries using common parameters, helping lenders evaluate borrowers with weak financials, limited documentation, or minimal transaction history, multiple people aware of the development told ET. The initiative is part of the broader plans to form a National Trade Finance Committee and create a framework for expanding export credit, they said.