Commerce Ministry launches Chat-GPT like platform to aid Indian exporters

The Commerce Ministry on September 11 launched the Trade Connect e-platform to aid existing and aspiring exporters access vital trade related information. It was launched by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

The platform was developed in collaboration with the MSME Ministry, EXIM Bank, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It plans to connect over 6 lakh exporters and importers with more than 180 Indian mission officials, 600 export promotion council officials, besides the ministry and banks.

The Trade Connect e-platform, India’s one-stop solution for all export-related concerns, is a Chat-GPT-like solution for India’s exporters, said Sunil Barthwal, commerce secretary, on September 11.

The government launched the Trade Connect e-platform, a new digital initiative to help Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access critical trade-related information, while also providing them access to the government, Indian missions abroad, and export promotion councils in Delhi.

Piyush Goyal noted that the portal is the first step to help India gain a larger market share in global trade.

“The world is our market. While global trade is in a paralytic situation, we should be looking at larger market share,” he said.

The minister highlighted that further integration of the platform with Open Network for Digital Commerce and Government e-marketplace would boost the initiative.

The union minister also expressed confidence that by the time of the next trade board meeting, a 2.0 version will be made available and batted for regional language versions of the portal.

“We should be able to reach the person at the small level who gets intimidated by English. This government has consistently worked in promoting regional languages,” he said while reiterating the goal to reach $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030.

More changes

The government is looking to add more services to the portal in the second phase.

“Exports who want to avail themselves of pre-shipment, post-shipment exporters credit or insurance coverage for their exports. Export logistic-related services, which various start-ups are offering, will also find a place in this platform,” said Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Additional Secretary & Director General, Director General of Foreign Trade.