DGFT Inks Deals with Global E-commerce Giants to Train MSMEs

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the Ministry of Commerce, is set to sign agreements with various global online platforms, including Walmart, in the coming weeks to provide training to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in identified districts across India. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of MSMEs in leveraging e-commerce platforms for export promotion.

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Capacity Building for MSMEs

The capacity-building sessions will cover a range of topics, including imaging and digital cataloguing of products, tax advisory, and hands-on demonstrations of e-commerce export processes. This training will empower MSMEs to effectively showcase their products on online platforms and navigate the complexities of e-commerce exports.

Collaboration with E-commerce Platforms

DGFT has already signed an agreement with Amazon to provide training to MSMEs in 20 identified districts. Discussions are underway with other e-commerce platforms, such as Flipkart/Walmart, eBay, Rivexa, Shopclues, and DHL Express, to expand the collaboration to additional districts across the country.

Targeting E-commerce Export Potential

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India has the potential to export USD 350 billion worth of goods through e-commerce by 2030. However, the current e-commerce export numbers remain significantly below this potential, accounting for only USD 2 billion or less than 0.5% of the country's total goods export basket. To unlock this potential, GTRI recommends the formulation of a separate policy to address the pain points of the sector.

The collaboration between DGFT and global e-commerce platforms is a significant step towards boosting e-commerce exports from India. By providing capacity building and outreach support to MSMEs, this initiative will empower these enterprises to participate in global trade and contribute to the country's export growth. With a focus on leveraging the potential of e-commerce, India can make substantial progress towards achieving its goal of USD 1 trillion in goods exports by 2030.