Workshop on e-Commerce, Tirupur

New opportunities for expanding exports via e-commerce

With the objective of encouraging exporters to use e-commerce and encourage the new concept of retail exports, FIEO and eBay in association with the Tirupur Exports Association organized a Workshop on e-Commerce which explored the possibilities of expanding business by using the exciting new sales channel of exports via e-commerce to reach out to global buyers through ecommerce. The workshop deliberated on how to export to 103 million global buyers in 150 countries through e-commerce by using various tools available with eBay and PayPal, which have expertise in e-commerce sales. The participants were taken through transition from a sole offline business mode to an integrated model that incorporates end to end services right from listing products on eBay, receiving payments through PayPal along with fulfillment service via leading logistics partners. The programme was attended by senior level executives from exporters based in and around Tirupur. Dr A Sakthivel, Past President, FIEO; and Chairman, AEPC; and President, Tirupur Exporters Association; inaugurated the programme, which was attended by more than 70 participants. Mr Unnikrishnan K., Director FIEO (Southern Region), while welcoming the participants said this channel of retail export has proved to be worlds largest online market place which enables Indian goods to directly reach millions of buyers across the globe. He said this route can support the efforts of exporters to achieve 20% growth during the current fiscal. SMEs in Tirupur need to be encouraged in the use of e-commerce to explore further growth opportunities in new markets as well as to increase their profitability by reaching out to millions of global customers, he added. Dr Sakthivel in his inaugural address said retail exports via e-commerce are cost-effective opportunity for Indian exporters to tap a wider spectrum of buyers globally. Tirupur exporters have to exploit this new innovation for retail exports. Talking about Tirupurs potential, Dr Sakthivel said the city has contributed a substantial share of Indias exports by contributing Rs 13,000 crore in 2010-11, Rs 13,200 crore in 2011-12 and 13,700 crore in the last fiscal. However there is huge opportunity to scale up the performance. He advised this is the right time to set up businesses online, which will allow the SMEs to reduce their cost structures, streamline operations to enhance productivity, and most importantly, increase their sales volume and thereby help them enter new markets. Dr Sakthivel also highlighted the benefits which can be derived to both manufacturers as well as end customer by eliminating middlemen while doing business in e-commerce. Ms Aditi Sharma and Mr Sanchit Khanna of eBay India (www.ebay.in) gave a detailed presentation about how SMEs can benefit through this online showroom and how an entrepreneur can sell their products through eBay and get their payment safely.

The workshop was aimed at popularising retail exports among Indian exporters and to effectively utilize the opportunities offered by global eBay marketplaces. Our aim is to regularly educate exporters about international trading incentives and best practices for overseas trade. We plan to conduct similar workshops, webinars and seminars all over the country throughout the year, said Mr Khanna.