In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and driving e-commerce exports from India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), a division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has entered into a strategic partnership with leading e-commerce giant Amazon India. This momentous collaboration marks the first of its kind between DGFT and prominent e-commerce players.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between DGFT and Amazon India, both entities will collaborate to organize capacity-building sessions, training programs, and workshops tailored for MSMEs in districts identified as part of the “Districts as Export Hubs” initiative outlined in the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. This pioneering initiative aims to connect local producers, even in remote and rural areas, with global supply chains, enabling exporters and MSMEs to showcase and sell their ‘Made in India’ products to a global audience.
The MoU signing ceremony witnessed the presence of key figures such as Shri. Santosh Sarangi (Additional Secretary and Director General, DGFT), Chetan Krishnaswamy (Vice President, Public Policy – Amazon), and Bhupen Wakankar (Director Global Trade – Amazon India).
The primary objective of this collaboration is to harness the potential of e-commerce platforms to empower local exporters, manufacturers, and MSMEs in their pursuit of international markets. This partnership aligns seamlessly with the objectives outlined in the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, which places significant emphasis on the role of e-commerce in expanding India’s exports.
As part of the partnership, various e-commerce platforms operating in India will identify districts for conducting capacity-building and outreach programs in close coordination with DGFT-Regional Authorities. These programs will focus on educating MSMEs about e-commerce exports and equip them with the necessary tools to sell their products to customers worldwide. Additionally, the capacity-building sessions will provide valuable insights into product imaging, digital cataloging, tax advisory, and more, enabling Indian entrepreneurs to establish their e-commerce export businesses and global brands. In collaboration with Amazon India, 20 districts have been earmarked for these capacity-building and handholding sessions.
Furthermore, DGFT is actively engaged in discussions with several other e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart/Walmart, eBay, Rivexa, Shopclues, Shiprocket, DHL Express, among others, to explore similar partnerships in different districts across the country as part of the “Districts as Export Hubs” initiative. This collective effort is poised to amplify DGFT’s initiatives to support, nurture, and promote new and first-time exporters and MSME producers, ultimately driving India closer to the ambitious goal of achieving $1 trillion in goods exports by 2030.
