Strengthening the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), empowering women entrepreneurs, and building sustainable logistics infrastructure will be critical to India’s ambition of becoming a global manufacturing and export powerhouse, according to Akanksha Sharma, Vice President – Sustainability for Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant & Egypt at DP World.
Sharma said that while Indian entrepreneurs possess strong ambition and product capabilities, challenges related to market access, export compliance, logistics knowledge, and financing continue to hinder their integration into global value chains.
“Many entrepreneurs have excellent products but lack the knowledge required to navigate exports successfully. Building awareness, improving export readiness, and providing access to logistics expertise are essential for helping businesses scale internationally,” Sharma said.
Women Entrepreneurs Driving Growth Beyond Metros
Sharma highlighted the success of DP World’s “We Rise” programme, developed in partnership with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), which aims to help women-led businesses access markets, finance, and cross-border trade opportunities.
The initiative attracted over 600 applications from across India, with a significant number coming from Tier II and Tier III cities, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem beyond major metropolitan centres.
According to Sharma, many participants entered the programme with strong business ideas but limited understanding of export processes, international standards, supply chains, and documentation requirements.
“We have seen entrepreneurs transition from operating at a small scale to becoming export-ready within months. Some have accelerated their existing export journeys significantly,” she said.
However, she noted that women entrepreneurs continue to face social and structural barriers, often needing to secure family support before pursuing business opportunities. Building confidence and creating stronger support ecosystems remain crucial for enabling greater participation.
Integrated Logistics Key to MSME Competitiveness
As India seeks to expand its export footprint, Sharma emphasised the importance of integrated logistics corridors, warehousing infrastructure, free trade zones, and multimodal connectivity in supporting MSMEs.
“A well-developed trade ecosystem is essential for MSME growth. Large enterprises already benefit from integrated logistics networks, but many smaller businesses either lack access to these facilities or awareness of how to utilise them effectively,” she said.
DP World currently operates five container terminals in India with a combined capacity of 6 million TEUs annually, alongside three Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), five container freight stations, and a global logistics network spanning more than 80 countries.
The company is also developing alternative trade corridors aimed at improving India’s connectivity with international markets.
Sustainability Becoming a Business Imperative
Sharma said sustainability has evolved beyond a compliance requirement and is increasingly becoming a driver of long-term business value.
DP World has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is pursuing decarbonisation through electrification, renewable energy adoption, and energy-efficiency initiatives across its operations.
More than 60% of the company’s global operations are powered by renewable energy, while over 60% of its rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) have already been electrified.
In India, DP World’s Free Trade Zones at Nhava Sheva and Chennai operate solar power installations of 1.5 MW and 1 MW respectively and utilise fully electric material-handling vehicles.
The company has also introduced green power sourcing at its terminals in Nhava Sheva, enabling approximately 75% of conventional electricity consumption to be replaced with renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions by nearly 50%.
Modal Shift Delivering Emissions Reductions
Sharma noted that shifting cargo from road transport to rail and coastal shipping presents significant opportunities for reducing logistics emissions without necessarily increasing costs.
She cited a recent multimodal logistics solution developed for Reliance Industries that replaced around 700 kilometres of road transportation per container with a coastal rail corridor connecting Jamnagar, Ahmedabad and Mundra.
In another project involving a global tyre manufacturer, DP World reduced supply chain carbon emissions by 53% through cargo consolidation and the adoption of multimodal transportation combining coastal shipping, rail, and limited road movement.
“Sustainability should be viewed as a long-term business investment rather than a cost. Many sustainability initiatives improve operational efficiency and resilience while reducing environmental impact,” Sharma said.
Tuna Tekra Terminal to Align with Green Port Guidelines
DP World’s upcoming greenfield terminal at Tuna Tekra in Gujarat is being developed in line with the Government of India’s Green Ports (Harit Sagar) guidelines.
According to Sharma, incorporating sustainability measures from the planning stage enables ports to achieve higher environmental performance and long-term resilience.
Building an Inclusive Trade Ecosystem
Looking ahead, Sharma said India’s future trade ecosystem must prioritise inclusivity alongside growth.
“We need stronger support systems for women-led enterprises, minority-led businesses, and other underrepresented groups. When governments, industry players, and entrepreneurial networks work together, we can build a more resilient, inclusive and globally competitive trade ecosystem for India,” she said.
She added that India’s export growth story will increasingly depend on creating pathways that enable smaller businesses to access global opportunities while leveraging modern logistics infrastructure and sustainable supply chain solutions.
Source: The Economic Times
