Retail

Digital tools, apps that an exporter should use to enhance his global profile


By Sameer Vakil


Exports from India will play a huge role in the coming decades and also in helping it move from the image that India exports software, while China exports hardware. For this, successful current exporters and new first generation exporters will have to leverage the software prowess of ‘digital tools & apps’ to be better informed and geared up to create and ride the exports wave that is imminent.

To study what digital tools and apps can help businesses succeed in addressing and serving this attractive opportunity, let’s first look at the stages one must go through in establishing a successful exports business:

  1. Opportunity Discovery (including opportunity assessment & readiness);
  2. Transaction Consummation (finding buyers & transacting);
  3. Trade Documentation (managing a ‘seemingly’ complex transaction chain);
  4. Trade Finance (funding working capital requirements and claiming sops & subsidies);

Let’s take a look at the tools that are a must to be used by the exporter community, no matter what stage they may be in:

NiryatBandhu: The online course provided by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Ministry of Commerce helps exporters to learn the basics of import-export business digitally. There is no eligibility criteria for the course and one needs to just pay a basic fee of Rs 2000 for the examination.

Indian Trade Portal: It is crucial for current and prospective exporters to know the tariffs, concessions and requirements of various markets and that can be found on the FIEO-managed India Trade Portal site. The site has detailed tutorials on the basics of exporting, understanding banging regulations, foreign trade policy and also know about the new tenders from the countries around the world.

FIEO GlobalLinker: Gone are the days where exports were only done through family and friends residing abroad. With digital access to networking communities, exporters and prospective exporters can join the growing business communities and create a quality profile and product catalogues that can be discovered by potential business partners. FIEO GlobalLinker is one such free solution. Becoming a part of ‘groups’ of such solutions can help a budding exporter immensely.

India Trade Fair: India Trade Promotion Organisation organises a vast number of events and exhibitions throughout the year, and the events are held for the exporters in Pragati Maidan facility in New Delhi.

TradeIndia: Participating in B2B marketplaces and creating your own digital eCommerce & supply chain solutions efficiently helps close transactions. TradeIndia helps to promote exporters’ product or services online to a wider business community. It’s an efficient platform for buyers and sellers around the world to interact and conduct business smoothly.

Exim Bank: Export-Import Bank is a government agency and a key player in the promotion of cross border trade. The bank is useful in financing export and import of goods and services by providing loans, export credit, post-shipment discounting of invoice and goods insurance.

Those who can smartly use the wide range of resources available, stand to benefit more from the world of foreign trade and help India achieve its dream of being the largest and an export-driven economy. They say, there are many ways to serve the nation, and being an exporter is one rewarding way to serve this great nation!

(Author is Cofounder & Chief Executive Officer, GlobalLinker, a digital SME Networking platform)





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.