What are the steps that the government will take to help e-commerce companies boost exports?

The Government of India is expected to take many measures that are projected to benefit e-commerce companies based in India such as Snapdeal and Myntra. These actions are also supposed to be beneficial for several companies working in the garment and handicraft sector as far as increasing their footprints on the global platform is concerned. To achieve this aim, the government would look to make sweeping changes to the export framework that governs their sales outside the country. Among the various measures being considered is a total switch over to filing systems on the internet.  

Doing away with caps 
At present, there is a cap of INR 25,000 on the purchase. It is expected that this cap would be done away with as well. As per a senior official in the finance ministry, the government has identified several steps to make sure that the e-commerce industry finds it easier to trade. Already in Mumbai, a pilot has been launched to this effect, and soon other customs ports will be brought under the purview of this as well. Normally exports done through these web based marketplaces are dependent on entities such as small packages and couriers. 

The matter of paperwork  
It also needs to be noted in this context that a significant amount of paperwork is needed in these cases at the ports. The couriers play the role aggregators on behalf of the ECommerce platforms. This means that one courier may need to deal with some packages at the same time. However, unlike the bigger exporters they will only be dealing with a few goods. They would also need to do separate paperwork for each package that they are exporting. It is possible that they would be permitted to make just one submission for all the packages that they are exporting.  

Speeding up trade 
It is expected that this would help in making trade quicker. The official has also said that the main aim is to make sure that the process is simpler than before and make it an online one. The official has also said that later on the cap of INR 25,000 may either be removed or increased as well. The official has also said that this particular change would take place in a short span of time. At present this restriction is being applied to goods that are being sent to courier companies that have lobbied the government regarding this issue and others that concern them. 

What happens now? 
At present these goods are being sent out in the form of samples. In case of some sectors such as garment and handloom, they are exported as proper products. These products are also capable of being provided export incentives that are offered by the Union Commerce and Industry Ministry. This revamp is being done as part of the National Action Plan for Trade Facilitation that India has taken up recently. Arun Jaitley, the Union Finance Minister, released this plan on July 20.

How Anita Dongre help to promote the crafts of Indian female artisans?

Anita Dongre is one of the fashion designers of India who has played a major role in helping the craftwork of women artisans of the country thrive. She has actively promoted them. One of the major steps that she has taken in this regard has been starting a project named Grassroot in August 2015. This project can be called a veritable conclusion of all the values that she enshrines as an individual and as a business entrepreneur. These are the principles that she has staunchly adhered to all her life and she believes in them with all her being.

Qualities of Grassroots

All the products manufactured under the banner of Grassroot are earth-friendly, animal-friendly, and eco-friendly as well. In fact, as Dongre has said time and again, Grassroots remains the closest to her heart. She has openly expressed her desire to be able to do some work with traditional Indian craft forms. According to her these are steeped in tradition apart from being “real, earthy and rich” in her own words. She has always wanted to bring back the importance of the heirloom and handicraft tradition of India and with Grassroots she wants to be able to do just that.

Why was it necessary?

Speaking about Grassroot, Dongre has said that the critical state of Indian handicraft and art has forced her to take such a decision in the first place. According to her the craft industry in India is dying a slow death with every passing day. This is why she feels that it is very necessary to have fashion houses to save it. Even though she has taken a right step in this regard with the creation of Grassroot she feels that more such entities need to come around and establish partnerships with the local artisans.

Giving them a platform

She feels that these entities can give these artisans a platform where they can showcase their work. This she feels will be a scenario where everyone involved will be significantly benefited. This will also help these artisans sustain their work over a longer period of time. Grassroot is already playing a major role in supporting these artists carrying on with their work. The design teams working for Dongre travel to various villages with NGOs and study their work. They then create a design language that is based on that and has a global appeal as well.

What are the areas of work?

Grassroot has so far worked with eight weaves and 12 craft styles and forms. Some of them may be mentioned as below:

·         Banaras

·         Ikat

·         Khadi

·         Bhagalpur Silk

·         Chikankari

·         Block Prints

·         Bandhani

·         Warli paintings

The organization has also worked in a number of states of India such as Gujarat, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Uttar Pradesh (UP). It has collaborated with organizations such as SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre in order to make sure that the women artisans from villages in Gujarat have at least 100 days of work.

Benefits

This has benefitted a number of women artisans in villages across the state. Normally the NGO is responsible for payment, which is decided on the basis of hours devoted to creating the piece. Also taken into account in this case is the level of complexity associated with the work created. The final product is priced in a competitive manner so that more demand can be created for the same. In fact, it is this thought process that has made the entire project sustainable in the first place. Dongre feels that with Grassroot she will be able to give some dignity back to the artisans that they need so much.