e-commerce exports: Preparatory work begins for World Bank B-Ready index

India has begun work on the Business-Ready Index, or B-Ready, a new flagship report from the World Bank that assesses the business environment and investment climate in economies around the world. B-Ready replaces the World Bank’s Doing Business Index, which ranked countries based on their business-friendly environments.

As part of the exercise, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has asked traders, customs agents and freight forwarders to provide details such as the total time and costs associated with social trading, especially for the export of goods ordered digitally.

The B-Ready Report focuses on 10 topics from the business lifecycle, including starting a business, employment, financial services, international trade and taxation.

The topic of international trade aims to assess the efficiency of importing and exporting goods, services, customs clearance, and engaging in digital trade. Digital trade refers to transactions that promote access to cross-border digital markets and increase the participation of end consumers.

“Reduced trade barriers, compliance and transaction costs for businesses are key to fully realizing the benefits of international trade. We have begun preparations to ensure we can take action on issues where we are not doing enough,” the official said.

India’s B-Ready report is expected to be released in April 2026. The ministry has sought information on whether any of the direct exports are ordered through electronic means and sent by post or courier. This information is crucial as India aims to achieve $200-300 billion in e-commerce exports by 2030. E-commerce exports are estimated at $4-5 billion in fiscal 2023, accounting for 0.9-1.1% of India’s total merchandise exports, according to a report by consulting firm EY and industry group Assocham. Companies were also asked to provide the total time it took to export digitally ordered goods — from the time the goods were ready for collection by the post office or courier to the time they were delivered. They were also asked to estimate the total cost of exporting digitally ordered goods as a share of the total value of goods exported, and the average cost of meeting border control, logistics and handling agency requirements. “We are trying to get the B-Ready elements into the Business Reforms Action Plan as well,” the official said. The plan ranks states and rates them on 301 points of reform actions that improve investor confidence and citizens’ access to government services.