Amazon India ties up with FISME to liberate MSMEs

Amazon India has announced a partnership with FISME (The Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises) to empower Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and facilitate the creation of a competitive environment to improve market access for Indian MSMEs and provide growth opportunities in the e-commerce marketplace solutions in India and across the world. According to the MoU, Amazon, in collaboration with FISME will conduct various events and workshops across the country to enable and encourage MSMEs to sell their products to millions of consumers in India and across the globe by using e-commerce solutions.

This will include educating them on shades of online selling domestically, on international markets and also B2C exports with brand building, documentation, listing methodology and services such as expected by Amazon. The collaboration will give MSMEs access to experts from Amazon, FISME, and various service providers to help them understand the procedures and requirements related to areas such as logistics, cataloging, imaging, and taxation. MSMEs will also be educated on digital business opportunity, brand building, documentation, listing methodology and services such as Fulfillment by Amazon and Sponsored Ads.

Gopal Pillai, Director and GM, Seller Services, Amazon India, said, “The MSME sector plays a critical role in the growth of the Indian economy. In fact, a large selection on Amazon is brought by these small and medium sellers. To enable their growth further, we are excited to partner with FISME. We will work closely with FISME members to develop innovative business models that will help MSMEs accelerate their growth by leveraging opportunities in the e-commerce sector - positively impacting the Indian economy. Furthermore, unique products sold by MSMEs will also give our customers access to increased selection.”

To improve the selling experience for MSMEs, Amazon offers fulfilment services that allow manufacturers and exporters to focus on their products and pricing, and also makes available imaging and cataloging support by getting photo shoots done as per Amazon standards at nominal costs. Amazon also provides references of independent third-party service providers who can provide tax guidance services, and access to other export-related modalities by connecting potential exporters to relevant independent advisory agencies.

To enable MSMEs to familiarise themselves with tastes and preferences of customers, Amazon will also offer guidance on how to improve discoverability of products, type of deals or advertisements to run, and how to drive awareness about listings on the marketplace.

According to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, there are 50 million small businesses in India. About 12 million of them are in manufacturing, and many have their own brands. This opportunity would directly help Amazon compete with the likes of Alibaba and further its B2B seller program. It is early days in the race to win the B2B segment in India, but both companies are making their moves to make businesses use online platforms as the sales module.

MSMEs will also get access to experts from Amazon, FISME and various service providers to understand the procedures and requirements related to areas such as logistics, cataloguing, imaging, taxation and will guide them through the entire process of selling through the e-commerce marketplace route.