01Join your export promotion council or board
The council or board for your product (APEDA, Spices Board, EPCH, AEPC and others) runs buyer-seller meets, reverse buyer-seller meets in India, and stalls in trade fairs abroad. Membership (RCMC) also gives you their trade enquiries and circulars.
02Trade fairs, with support
Visiting a fair in your sector is the fastest way to meet real buyers. Under the Market Access Initiative, councils organise subsidised India pavilions. Check the current calendar and support with your council.
03Indian missions abroad and the Indian Trade Portal
The commercial or trade wing of the Indian embassy in your target country can share importer lists and trade enquiries. The Indian Trade Portal gives tariffs, rules and market reports country by country.
04B2B portals: useful, with care
Online B2B marketplaces bring many enquiries, but also many fake ones. Treat every first enquiry as unverified until you have checked the company.
- Warning signs: free email address, urgency, large first order, request for samples paid by you plus ‘registration fees’.
- Never pay a buyer-side fee to receive an order.
- Run an ECGC buyer check before any credit shipment.