Since its launch in 2015, Amazon Global Selling has enabled 1.25 lakh sellers across India, including 15,000 sellers across Maharashtra, according to Bhupen Wakankar, director of Global Trade of Amazon India.
During a media briefing held at Sheraton Grand Pune Bund Garden Hotel on January 12, Wakankar said goods worth around $8 billion had been exported worldwide from Indian sellers in the last eight years.
Citing Amazon Exports Digest 2023, he said that over the last six to eight quarters, Amazon experienced substantial growth in its business and witnessed many success stories from the grassroots. Amazon Exports Digest is an annual report that provides insights into the success and scale of e-commerce exports from India through Amazon Global Selling.
“From May 2015 to May 2022, goods worth $5 billion were exported, and the subsequent $3 billion took only a year and a half. More than 1,200 Indian exporters on Amazon Global Selling crossed Rs 1 crore in sales in 2022. The noticeable increase in business is evident from the data, and Amazon commits to maintain this momentum, aiming to reach $20 billion in the next two years, by 2025,” he said.
While discussing Maharashtra-based products, he said the company offers a diverse range of products globally, spanning from local handicrafts like Kolhapuri Chappal to agro-tech items like beet powders.
According to the information, tier 1 and tier 2 cities in Maharashtra, such as Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Raigarh, and Nagpur, have witnessed significant e-commerce opportunities, particularly in markets like the US, UK, UAE, Canada, and Germany.
“Now our focus at Amazon is to make exports easier and help a local to reach globally, allowing customers worldwide to experience ‘Made in India’ products. Our team is actively working on simplifying all complexities related to exports, including market access, market intelligence, cross-border logistics and payments, working capital needs, and compliance, amongst others,” he said.
While talking about the government’s initiative, Wakankar said the government aims to increase exports to $2 trillion by 2030, a key focus outlined in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) introduced in April 2023.
“We advocate the seller’s voice and represent them to the government using platforms such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),” he said.
Collaborating with the government through initiatives like Daak Ghar Niryat Kendra (India Post) and forging MOUs with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) are steps to empower local sellers, especially those not digitally savvy,” Wankankar added.