Uttar Pradesh is accelerating its e-commerce push to help micro, small and medium enterprises overcome market barriers and become internationally competitive, as the state deepens partnerships with major online marketplaces.

The MSME sector, which comprises more than 9 million units across 75 districts, is being strengthened through collaborations with leading e-commerce platforms. Under the state’s roadmap, entrepreneurs will receive free training to enable seamless participation in both domestic and cross-border e-commerce.

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Walmart under the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Programme to integrate MSMEs into national and global value chains. The initiative will support enterprises across e-commerce processes, packaging, quality standards, certifications and market access.

Alok Kumar, additional chief secretary for infrastructure and industrial development, MSME and export promotion, said MSMEs form the backbone of the state’s economy and that the partnership would unlock new opportunities, expand market reach and enhance the global competitiveness of Uttar Pradesh-based enterprises.

Other e-commerce majors have also been brought on board through initiatives such as the One District One Product programme. Flipkart, for instance, has partnered with the state to market ODOP products including Khadi, leather goods, carpets, agricultural produce and pottery. The platform supports women’s self-help groups, start-ups, microbusiness owners and artisans in scaling up through digital marketplaces.

The Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Policy 2025–30 places strong emphasis on e-commerce-led exports. It offers first-time exporters a one-time incentive covering 75 per cent of platform listing fees, capped at Rs 0.3 million, significantly lowering entry barriers for accessing international markets.

Uttar Pradesh is targeting $50 billion in goods and services exports by 2030, up from $21 billion in 2024. Digital platforms are increasingly enabling MSMEs to reach overseas customers by reducing traditional export hurdles and allowing direct engagement without intermediaries. Around 70 per cent of online sellers in India are small enterprises, including women entrepreneurs and artisans.

Globally, the opportunity is expanding rapidly. According to UN Trade and Development, global e-commerce sales touched nearly $27 trillion in 2022, creating significant scope for deeper MSME participation in international trade.