FIEO’s workshop for MSME exporters focuses on trade logistics

FIEO’s workshop for MSME exporters focuses on trade logistics

Description of products is often a problem that MSME exporters face during Customs clearances Neha Dewan | The Dollar Business
MSME-TheDollarBusiness MSMEs in India are expected to play a key role in the success of the “Make in India” campaign and improving exports
  A one day comprehensive workshop on export packaging, bar-coding, trade logistics, and challenges and issues faced by MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) exporters was organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) in association with the Ministry of MSME in New Delhi today. The workshop saw active participation of several industry professionals and experts. The primary objective of the workshop was to offer to the MSMEs elaborate insights on various issues integral to their business. The session on export packaging, presented by Dr. Tanveer Alam, Joint Director & Branch Head, Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) – New Delhi, delved on packaging requirements, buying behaviour, distribution channels as well as the testing requirements for transport packages.  The other aspect that was discussed at the workshop was about the benefits that could accrue to exporters via bar coding. Besides unambiguous and universal identification of products and consignments, it has been observed that bar-coding also eliminates the need for manual data entry which is prone to error. The second half of the workshop had sessions on trade logistics and challenges faced by MSME exporters. Presenting the session on “Trade Logistics”, Amit Budhiraja, Founder & CEO, Utopia Freight Logistics, highlighted various issues that could act as a deterrent for MSME exporters. He explained how a clear description of products assumes extreme significance during custom clearance. “Scenario creation is very important in order to find innovative answers,” he said. MSMEs in India contribute nearly 45% of the manufacturing output and 40% of the exports, according to the MSME Ministry. MSMEs also offer the largest chunk of employment after agriculture and hence can play a significant role in the growth of India's economy, said experts.      

This article was published on December 16, 2014.

The Dollar Business Bureau - Dec 16, 2014 02:51 IST