Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Foreign Trade and E-Comm
Foreign Trade and E-Comm
INDIA
Immanial Yamarthi
Swiss School of Business and Management, Geneva
GBC - Geneva Business Center
Avenue des Morgines 12
1213 Genève
Switzerland
www.ssbm.ch
Email:immanial@ssbm.ch / immasapsd@gmail.com
Tel.8019507636
India has a diverse and rapidly growing foreign trade, and it engages in trade with countries
all over the world. Some of India's major trading partners include:
1. China: China is one of India's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade between the
two countries estimated to be worth over US$ 100 billion in 2021.
2. United States: The United States is another important trading partner for India, with
bilateral trade estimated to be worth over US$ 70 billion in 2021.
3. United Arab Emirates: The UAE is a significant trading partner for India, particularly in
the areas of petroleum and petroleum products, gold, and diamonds.
4. Singapore: Singapore is a key trading partner for India, particularly in the areas of
pharmaceuticals, electronics, and engineering goods.
5. Japan: Japan is an important trading partner for India, with bilateral trade estimated to be
worth over US$ 20 billion in 2021.
6. South Korea: South Korea is a growing trading partner for India, particularly in the areas
of electronics, automobiles, and steel products.
7. Hong Kong: Hong Kong is an important hub for India's trade with the rest of Asia, and it
is a significant trading partner for India in its own right, particularly in the areas of
pharmaceuticals, textiles, and precious stones.
These are just a few of India's major trading partners, and the country's foreign trade is
constantly evolving and growing. In recent years, India has been working to further
strengthen its trade relationships with other countries, particularly in Asia and the Middle
East, and to expand its exports and imports with these countries.
4.Online marketplace and e-commerce platform usage
In India, online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms have become increasingly popular in
recent years, driven by the growing number of consumers shopping online, the increasing
availability of affordable internet access, and the rise of mobile technology.
Some of the most popular online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms in India include:
1. Flipkart: Flipkart is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in India, offering a wide
range of products, including electronics, fashion, home goods, and more.
2. Amazon India: Amazon is another major player in the Indian e-commerce market,
offering a wide range of products and services, including Amazon Prime, Amazon Pay,
and more.
3. Paytm Mall: Paytm Mall is a leading e-commerce platform in India, offering a wide range
of products and services, including online shopping, mobile recharge, and more.
4. Snapdeal: Snapdeal is another popular online marketplace in India, offering a wide range
of products and services, including electronics, fashion, home goods, and more.
5. Myntra: Myntra is a leading online marketplace for fashion and lifestyle products in
India, offering a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, and accessories.
These are just a few of the many online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms that are popular
in India, and the number of platforms and users is constantly growing. In recent years, e-
commerce has become an increasingly important part of the Indian economy, and it is expected
to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years.
5.Types of products and services being traded
In India, a wide range of products and services are being traded both domestically and
internationally, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the country's economy. Some of the
most common products and services being traded in India include:
1. Agricultural products: India is one of the largest agricultural producers in the world, and
agricultural products such as rice, wheat, sugar, and cotton are major exports.
2. Petroleum products: India is one of the largest consumers of petroleum in the world, and
petroleum products such as crude oil and petroleum products are major imports.
3. Pharmaceuticals: India is a major producer of pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical
products such as drugs and medicines are major exports.
4. Textiles: India is one of the largest producers of textiles in the world, and textiles such as
cotton, silk, and wool are major exports.
5. Engineering goods: India is a major producer of engineering goods, such as machinery,
equipment, and parts, and these goods are major exports.
6. Consumer goods: India is a major market for consumer goods, including electronics,
fashion, and home goods, and these goods are major imports.
7. Services: India is also a major exporter of services, including information technology,
business process outsourcing, and tourism services.
These are just a few examples of the many types of products and services being traded in India,
and the country's trade is constantly evolving and growing. In recent years, India has been
working to expand its exports and imports in a number of areas, particularly in the areas of high-
tech goods and services, and the future looks promising for continued growth in these areas.
6. Adoption of e-commerce by Indian businesses
The adoption of e-commerce by Indian businesses has increased rapidly in recent years, driven
by the growing number of consumers shopping online and the increasing availability of
affordable internet access. Many Indian businesses, both large and small, have recognized the
potential benefits of e-commerce, including increased reach, improved customer engagement,
and reduced costs.
Some of the key factors driving the adoption of e-commerce by Indian businesses include:
1. Growing consumer demand: With more and more consumers shopping online, Indian
businesses have seen the importance of having a presence on e-commerce platforms in
order to reach and engage with these customers.
2. Improved technology: The widespread availability of affordable internet access and the
rise of mobile technology have made it easier for businesses to launch and manage online
stores and to reach customers through e-commerce platforms.
3. Government support: The Indian government has been actively promoting the adoption
of e-commerce by Indian businesses, including through the launch of initiatives such as
the "Digital India" program.
4. Increased competition: As more businesses launch online stores and start selling through
e-commerce platforms, the competition for customers has increased, encouraging more
businesses to adopt e-commerce in order to remain competitive.
Overall, the adoption of e-commerce by Indian businesses has been growing rapidly, and it is
expected to continue to grow in the coming years as more and more businesses recognize the
benefits of e-commerce and launch online stores.
7.Impact of trade agreements on foreign trade and e-commerce
Trade agreements can have a significant impact on both foreign trade and e-commerce, affecting
the flow of goods and services between countries and shaping the regulatory environment for e-
commerce businesses. Some of the key ways trade agreements can impact foreign trade and e-
commerce include:
1. Tariff reductions: Trade agreements can reduce or eliminate tariffs on goods traded
between countries, making it easier and less expensive for businesses to engage in cross-
border trade.
2. Harmonization of regulations: Trade agreements can encourage the harmonization of
regulations between countries, making it easier for e-commerce businesses to operate
across borders and reach new customers.
3. Improved market access: Trade agreements can open up new markets for businesses,
providing access to new customers and helping to spur growth in both domestic and
foreign trade.
4. Protection of intellectual property: Trade agreements can provide stronger protections for
intellectual property, helping to ensure that e-commerce businesses are able to protect
their products and services and maintain a competitive advantage.
Overall, trade agreements can have a significant impact on both foreign trade and e-commerce,
shaping the regulatory environment and affecting the flow of goods and services between
countries. As such, they are an important consideration for businesses looking to engage in cross-
border trade and to grow their e-commerce operations.
8.Impact of india trade agreements on foreign trade and e-commerce
India has signed a number of trade agreements that have had an impact on its foreign trade and e-
commerce sector. Some of the key trade agreements and their impact on foreign trade and e-
commerce in India include:
1. India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA): This agreement, signed in 2003,
eliminated tariffs on goods traded between India and the 10 ASEAN countries, helping to
spur growth in bilateral trade between the two regions.
2. India-South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA): This agreement, signed in 2004,
reduced tariffs on goods traded between India and its South Asian neighbors, helping to
improve market access and increase cross-border trade.
3. India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): This agreement,
signed in 2011, reduced tariffs on goods traded between India and Japan, improving
market access for Indian businesses and making it easier for Japanese companies to sell
their products in India.
4. India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA): This
agreement, signed in 2011, reduced tariffs on goods traded between India and Australia,
improving market access for businesses in both countries and making it easier for them to
engage in cross-border trade.
5. India-China Bilateral Trade Agreement: This agreement, signed in 2018, aims to increase
trade between India and China, by reducing tariffs and improving market access for
businesses in both countries.
Overall, these trade agreements have had a positive impact on foreign trade and e-commerce in
India, helping to improve market access, reduce tariffs, and spur growth in cross-border trade.
They are an important consideration for businesses looking to engage in foreign trade and to
grow their e-commerce operations.
a).table of the comparative analysis of India's foreign trade and e-commerce practices with
various countries and regions:
Electrical
machinery,
Ores, organic mechanical
China $87.7 billion chemicals, cotton appliances $2.8 trillion
Electronic goods,
Refined petroleum, mineral fuels, palm
ASEAN $85 billion pharmaceuticals, oil $62 billion
Machinery,
Mineral fuels, iron electrical
Japan $17.63 billion and steel, organic equipment, vehicles $191.60 billion
Electrical
Refined petroleum, machinery, mineral
South Korea $16.36 billion organic chemicals, fuels, machinery $127.79 billion
Foreign Trade E-commerce
(Approx. Major Indian Major Indian Market Size
Country/Region Value) Exports Imports (Approx. Value)
Mineral fuels,
Petroleum products, pearls, precious
Africa $62 billion vehicles, machinery stones, wood $19.8 billion
Electrical
Refined petroleum, machinery, mineral
Southeast Asia $90 billion gems, jewelry, fuels, palm oil $62 billion
Machinery,
European Union Textiles, garments, electrical
(EU) $86 billion pharmaceuticals, equipment, pearls $508 billion
Mineral fuels,
Petroleum products, precious metals,
Middle East $121 billion gems, jewelry, fertilizers $22 billion
Machinery,
Textiles, electrical
pharmaceuticals, equipment, mineral
North America $95 billion machinery, fuels $861 billion
Mineral fuels,
Pharmaceuticals, precious stones,
Africa (Region) $62 billion vehicles, machinery metal ores Not available
Electrical
Southeast Asia Petroleum products, machinery, mineral
(Region) $88 billion pharmaceuticals, fuels, palm oil $62 billion
Foreign Trade E-commerce
(Approx. Major Indian Major Indian Market Size
Country/Region Value) Exports Imports (Approx. Value)
Mineral fuels,
Pharmaceuticals, pearls, precious
Russia and CIS $13 billion vehicles, organic stones $40 billion