Executive Summary:
The policy aims to enhance the trade ecosystem by leveraging Status Holders' expertise to mentor and train entrepreneurs in international trade. Status Holders are expected to provide skill upgradation training to a set number of trainees annually, varying based on their star status. DGFT Regional Authorities (RAs) will drive the initiative and support Status Holders in implementation and Status Holders will report their actions online.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Objective:** Encourage export-oriented entrepreneurship by bridging gaps between established industry and budding entrepreneurs through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
* **Status Holder Obligations:**
* Provide skill upgradation training in international trade.
* Trainee numbers per year: Two Star (5), Three Star (10), Four Star (20), Five Star (50).
* Collaborate with industry partners in their clusters to develop mediums to realize the intended outcomes
* **DGFT Regional Authorities (RAs) Role:**
* Drive the initiative by engaging Status Holders.
* Provide support to Status Holders, including identifying new IEC holders for mentorship and connecting with relevant stakeholders (State government, Customs, ECGC, Banks).
* Hold annual Status Holder conventions to recognize contributions.
* **Beneficiary Selection and Training:**
* Interested individuals and budding entrepreneurs are eligible.
* Status Holders determine eligibility, selection criteria, and curriculum.
* Curriculum may use DGFT's online course and include practical sessions.
* Practical exposure: introduce the beneficiaries to various divisions in the setup of the Status Holder and Filed visits to prominent trade-related facilities
* **Partnerships:**
* Forge partnerships with export houses, trade associations, and industry experts.
* Collaborate with educational institutions for resources and case studies.
* **Feedback and Recognition:**
* Conduct regular feedback sessions.
* Provide mentorship and guidance.
* Use assessments and practical assignments.
* Consider awarding certifications.
* **Reporting:**
* Status Holders will report actions taken under the initiative via an online facility.
* **Intended Outcomes:**
* Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of international trade.
* Professional growth, expanded networks, and enhanced skills for participants.
Impact Analysis:
* **Status Holders:**
* Impact: Required to provide skilling and mentorship in international trade, contributing to the trade ecosystem and are expected to meet the obligations defined by the scheme
* Action Required: Implement training programs, collaborate with partners, report actions online.
* **Budding Entrepreneurs/Interested Individuals:**
* Impact: Opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and practical exposure in international trade.
* Action Required: Apply for mentorship programs, participate actively in training.
* **DGFT Regional Authorities (RAs):**
* Impact: Responsible for driving and supporting the initiative within their jurisdictions.
* Action Required: Engage Status Holders, provide support, organize conventions, provide feedback to DGFT.
Key Entities Referenced
Customs Authorities: Stakeholders that DGFT RAs can help Status Holders connect with.
FTP 2023: Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the governing policy document.
Status Holders: Exporters recognized by the DGFT based on their export performance, who are being made partners in providing mentoring and training.
DGFT Regional Authorities RAs: Directorate General of Foreign Trade Regional Authorities, responsible for driving the skilling and mentorship initiative at the regional level.
IEC holders: Importers Exporters Code holders, potential beneficiaries to be mentored under the program.
ECGC: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, a stakeholder that DGFT RAs can help Status Holders connect with.
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade: An institution that collaborated with DGFT to develop a Massive Open Online Course on international trade.
Massive Open Online Course: A course developed by DGFT in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, covering topics related to international trade.
Annexure
Model Curriculum
Skilling and Mentorship Obligation for Status Holders as per Para 1.30 of FTP 2023
“To improve the trade ecosystem by enhancing the available skilling opportunities,
Status Holders are being made “partners” in providing mentoring and training in
international trade.”
1. Objective:
The program aims to encourage export oriented entrepreneurship by bridging gaps
between established industry and budding entrepreneurs. This is envisioned to be
achieved by establishing a thriving knowledge ecosystem where industry
professionals, mentors, and entrepreneurs can collaborate, share expertise, and
drive innovation in international trade.
Status Holders will endeavor to provide skill up gradation/ training in international
trade as detailed below:
Category of Status Holder Number of Trainees per year
Two Star Export House 5
Three Star Export House 10
Four Star Export House 20
Five Star Export House 50
2. Program Overview:
2.1 It has been long felt that many potential Indian entrepreneurs face challenges in
identifying & developing popular global products, exploring new markets, and
establishing sustainable trade relations. One of the reasons for these challenges is the
lack of a sufficient ecosystem for generating and sharing functional knowledge.
2.2 Status Holders, who have expertise and experience in international trade, are well-
positioned to address these challenges.
2.3 Status Holders may consider collaborating in their clusters with industry partners
to develop meaningful mediums to realize the intended outcomes.3 Role of DGFT Regional Authorities (RAs):
3.1 DGFT RAs are expected to drive the initiative by getting in touch with Status holders
in respective jurisdictions and encouraging them to implement the programs in
intended spirit.
3.2 Status Holders may also get in touch with DGFT Regional Authorities (RAs), in case,
any difficulty is faced as well as for any other support which may be needed to
maximize the impact. Support of DGFT RAs may also be sought in identifying new IEC
holders to be mentored under the program andto provide support in getting in touch
with relevant stakeholders including State government, Customs Authorities, ECGC,
Banks etc for better exposure.
3.3 The aim should be to provide practical exposure to budding entreprenuers in the
field of international trade to bridge the gap in understanding the ecosystem.
3.4 Regional Authorities may annually hold Status Holder conventions to recongnise
contributions and felicitate active Status Holders who train/mentor more participants
than that mandated. Similar recognition at national level will be considered by DGFT
based on feedback from DGFT RAs and participants.
4 Detailed Guidelines
4.1Target beneficiaries & selection of beneficiaries:
The interested individuals as well as budding entrepreneurs may be selected for the
initiative.
Applicant may be asked to submit an application outlying their background,
aspiration and reason for participation.
Detailed eligibility requirements, selection criteria, training curriculum etc will be at
the discretion of the Status Holder. Status Holders may design the mentorship
initiative as per the needs of the industry/sector that they function in while
considering indicative subject matter as given in the next section.
4.2 Indicative subject matter:
It may be noted that a Massive Open Online Course has been developed by DGFT in
collaboration with Indian Institute of Foreign Trade with course topics including
fundamentals of international trade, regulatory framework, product identification,
logistics, trade finance etc. The repository of resources is available online at DGFT
website (https://www.dgft.gov.in) under the “Learn” section. The same maybe used for
training the participants under this initiative.Further Status Holder may plan suitable orientation and interactive sessions with their
in-house experts/employees encompassing various practical facets of International
Trade Operations to enrich the understanding of the beneficiaries.
4.3 Practical exposure and field Visits
Practical exposure maybe provided by introducing the beneficiaries to various divisions
in the setup of the Status Holder such as international trade compliance division,
marketing division, logistics division, material handling division etc. Filed visits to
prominent trade-related facilities, such as their manufacturing facilities, warehouses &
packaging facilities, testing facilities and other relevant facilities as deemed appropriate
may also be undertaken
4.4 Partnership with Industrial Partners:
Industry may forge partnerships with leading export houses, trade associations, and
industry experts to provide mentorship, workshops, and guest lecturers to the
participants.
4.5 Partnership with educational institutions:
Industry may also collaborate with educational institutions of repute specializing in
international trade/economics to offer resources, research insights, and industry case
studies to the participants for better understanding and knowledge.
4.6 Feedback and Monitoring Mechanism:
Industry may conduct a regular feedback sessions to assess the progress of participants
and address any queries or concerns. The Mentors and industry experts will also
provide constructive feedback, guidance, and mentorship throughout the program.
Industry may use assessments and practical assignments to evaluate participants'
understanding and application of the concepts covered.
4.7 Recognition:
Industry may consider awarding suitable recognitions in form of certifications to the
successful trainees.
4.8 Reporting:
An online facility will be created where status holder will be able to report their actions
taken under the initiative.5. Intended outcomes
By the end of the 6-week mentorship initiative, participants are expected to have gained a
comprehensive understanding of international trade and will also get insights into specific
industry & its clusters, supply chain & logistics, trade regulations and industry best
practices. The program aims to accelerate the professional growth, expand networks, and
enhance the knowledge and skills of participants involved, leading to more successful and
sustainable international trade endeavors.
Note: The program structure can be further tailored to suit the specific requirements and
preferences of the industry and participants involved.