FICCI FLO, under the leadership of National President, Ms. Puja Garg, successfully organized a virtual workshop on “Export Essentials: Interactive Session for Early/First Time Exporters,” featuring Mr. Harbinder Singh, Programme Director, India Exposition Mart Ltd. The webinar was hosted under the FLO Exports Initiative, led by Ms. Swati Verma, Initiative Lead, and Ms. Ritika Sarna, Initiative Co-Lead, who have been actively working towards creating awareness and building export readiness among women entrepreneurs.
The session commenced with welcome remarks by Ms. Rashmi Sarita, Executive Director at FICCI FLO, who shared the vision behind initiating the FLO Exports Initiative; enabling women entrepreneurs to explore global markets, understand export opportunities, and build confidence in navigating international trade ecosystems.
Guest speaker, Mr. Harbinder Singh, shared valuable insights into the global export landscape by drawing from his extensive experience in trade promotion and exports. He discussed key prerequisites for entering international markets, documentation processes, market identification, and participation in trade fairs.
His practical strategies for first-time exporters included exporting handmade and handicraft products after understanding export statistics, government schemes, compliance requirements, and market access strategies. The speaker discussed obtaining necessary certifications like IEC codes and GST registration, understanding different export terms (FOB, CIF), participating in exhibitions, using platforms like Etsy and Amazon for global sales, and leveraging Export Promotion Councils for sector-specific support.
The speaker continued the discussion by talking about country-wise export data, highlighting the US as the largest market for Indian handicrafts. Mr. Singh emphasized the importance of proper product differentiation and branding. The interactive format of the session encouraged participants to raise queries and engage in meaningful discussions.
Participants asked questions about specific products like leather goods and services exports, with the speaker noting that service exports would require engagement with different councils. The session concluded with plans for follow-up sessions to address remaining questions and sector-specific guidance for members interested in handloom, textiles, handicrafts, agro-products, circular economy, and wellness products.
There was enthusiastic participation from 162 FLO members across various chapters. Overall, the Export Essentials webinar was informative, engaging, and highly relevant for aspiring exporters.