DGFT Showcases ‘Trade Connect’ ePlatform at IIGF and Toy Biz Expo to Boost MSME Export Outreach
New Delhi, July 17: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is intensifying efforts to empower Indian MSME exporters with its digital initiative — Trade Connect ePlatform. The platform drew considerable attention at two major B2B trade events this month — the 71st India International Garment Fair (IIGF) and the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2025 — as part of its national outreach campaign.
At the IIGF, held at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Dwarka, Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs Pabitra Margherita inaugurated the exhibition and appreciated the Trade Connect booth during his visit. The fair featured over 360 Indian exhibitors and attracted buyers from 79 countries, including major markets like the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. The DGFT leveraged the platform to demonstrate how Trade Connect empowers exporters by offering real-time market access tools and reliable trade insights.
Similarly, at the Toy Biz International B2B Expo, held from July 4–7 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, DGFT conducted live demonstrations of Trade Connect, engaging with participants across the toy manufacturing ecosystem. The exhibition, organized by the Toy Association of India, featured over 400 Indian brands and served as a critical forum to promote digital enablement of exporters.
About Trade Connect
The Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in) is a flagship digital initiative by DGFT aimed at simplifying and accelerating global trade access for Indian exporters—especially MSMEs. It functions as a comprehensive hub for:
Updated information on tariffs, certifications, trade events, and global e-commerce
A network of Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and DGFT/Commerce Ministry officials
Interactive multilingual training modules for exporters on trade procedures
A secure paperless system for issuing and validating preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin
By offering credible, centralized, and easily accessible trade data and support tools, Trade Connect is helping MSMEs build trusted connections with verified international buyers and navigate complex export procedures more confidently.
Upcoming Events
The Trade Connect team is scheduled to participate in major upcoming events including:
World Food India 2025, New Delhi
India International Jewellery Show, Mumbai
These events will further strengthen DGFT’s digital outreach and enable broader participation of MSMEs in the global trade ecosystem.
The Ministry reiterated that Trade Connect is not just a platform, but a strategic enabler—designed to bridge the information gap, build trust, and drive India’s export growth in alignment with the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
