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France is stepping up efforts to expand business partnerships with India's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), identifying healthcare, logistics, luxury retail, and construction as priority sectors for bilateral collaboration.
The initiative was outlined during an interactive session organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), where representatives from the French Embassy in India, Business France and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed plans to increase the participation of French MSMEs in the Indian market and facilitate cross-border business partnerships.
Estelle David, Director-South Asia at Business France, said the agency's focus is on bringing more French MSMEs to India while promoting partnerships in high-growth industries. She highlighted healthcare, food and luxury retail as sectors offering significant opportunities for collaboration between businesses from the two countries.
French Consul General in Kolkata Thierry Morel said France remains committed to strengthening economic ties with India across manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace and digital technology. He also pointed to West Bengal's strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia, describing the state as well-positioned for investment in logistics, manufacturing and clean energy due to its skilled workforce and connectivity advantages.
Florent Mangin, Chief of Service for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy in India, said French officials are actively exploring investment and partnership opportunities in West Bengal. According to Mangin, sectors such as construction, logistics, agriculture and information technology are attracting growing interest from French businesses amid increasing confidence in the state's business environment.
The renewed push to strengthen MSME cooperation comes as India and France seek to broaden commercial engagement beyond large corporations by encouraging smaller enterprises to collaborate on technology, manufacturing, supply chains and market access. For the logistics sector, deeper Indo-French partnerships could support infrastructure development, supply chain modernisation and improved trade connectivity, particularly in eastern India, where West Bengal is emerging as a strategic logistics gateway for regional commerce.
Follow CARGOCONNECT for more updates.
France is stepping up efforts to expand business partnerships with India's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), identifying healthcare, logistics, luxury retail, and construction as priority sectors for bilateral collaboration. The initiative was outlined during an interactive session organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), where representatives from the French Embassy in India, Business France and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed plans to increase the participation of French MSMEs in the Indian market and facilitate cross-border business partnerships. Estelle David, Director-South Asia at Business France, said the agency's focus is on bringing more French MSMEs to India while promoting partnerships in high-growth industries. She highlighted healthcare, food and luxury retail as sectors offering significant opportunities for collaboration between businesses from the two countries. French Consul General in Kolkata Thierry Morel said France remains committed to strengthening economic ties with India across manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace and digital technology. He also pointed to West Bengal's strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia, describing the state as well-positioned for investment in logistics, manufacturing and clean energy due to its skilled workforce and connectivity advantages. Florent Mangin, Chief of Service for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy in India, said French officials are actively exploring investment and partnership opportunities in West Bengal. According to Mangin, sectors such as construction, logistics, agriculture and information technology are attracting growing interest from French businesses amid increasing confidence in the state's business environment. The renewed push to strengthen MSME cooperation comes as India and France seek to broaden commercial engagement beyond large corporations by encouraging smaller enterprises to collaborate on technology, manufacturing, supply chains and market access. For the logistics sector, deeper Indo-French partnerships could support infrastructure development, supply chain modernisation and improved trade connectivity, particularly in eastern India, where West Bengal is emerging as a strategic logistics gateway for regional commerce. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more updates.
Amazon is accelerating the electrification of its logistics network in India, expanding its electric vehicle fleet while investing in dedicated charging infrastructure to support the transition away from conventional fuel-powered deliveries. The e-commerce company currently operates more than 10,000 electric vehicles across its Indian delivery network, having achieved its original fleet target ahead of schedule. The vehicles are deployed in over 500 cities and support both last-mile and middle-mile logistics operations across the country. As part of its next phase of expansion, Amazon plans to introduce more than 1,000 electric trucks over the next five years. The initiative is expected to strengthen the company's efforts to reduce transport-related emissions while supporting growing delivery volumes from fulfilment centres and distribution hubs. Unlike many fleet operators that rely heavily on public charging networks, Amazon is primarily building and operating charging infrastructure at its own delivery stations. Company executives said the strategy helps overcome challenges associated with limited public charging availability, grid capacity constraints and inconsistent infrastructure development across markets. The company has also expanded partnerships with vehicle manufacturers and mobility providers to support fleet growth. Recent collaborations include the deployment of electric trucks for freight transportation and the introduction of additional electric vehicles for delivery partners operating within Amazon’s network. Beyond last-mile deliveries, Amazon is exploring broader decarbonisation opportunities across its transportation network. The company has tested electric heavy-duty trucks on key freight corridors and is working with industry stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of larger-scale electric freight operations in India. The expansion forms part of Amazon’s wider global sustainability strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions across logistics and transportation activities. India remains a key market in that effort, given the scale of the company’s delivery operations and the country's growing focus on electric mobility adoption. This is another sign of increasing electrification within India's logistics sector, where e-commerce companies, retailers and fleet operators are investing in electric vehicles to lower operating costs, meet sustainability targets and comply with evolving environmental regulations. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
The Delhi government has approached the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to identify land parcels for a planned network of warehousing and logistics facilities on the outskirts of the national capital, as part of a broader effort to improve freight movement and reduce urban congestion. The initiative is being developed under a forthcoming Logistics and Warehousing Policy that aims to strengthen supply chain infrastructure, support trade activity and address long-standing challenges linked to freight traffic within the city. The policy proposes establishing multiple warehousing clusters and logistics hubs along Delhi's periphery, particularly in areas with direct access to national highways and major transport corridors. The Department is working with the DDA to identify suitable sites, with plans focused on land parcels of approximately four to five acres or larger. These facilities are expected to serve as freight consolidation and distribution centres, helping reduce the movement of heavy goods vehicles through densely populated urban areas. The strategy aligns with the government's objective of shifting warehousing activities away from crowded commercial districts and relocating them closer to the city's boundaries. The proposed policy also includes measures to support cleaner freight operations. Last-mile deliveries would increasingly rely on electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, a step intended to lower emissions associated with urban logistics activities. In addition to large warehousing hubs, the government plans to establish localised storage facilities and micro-fulfilment centres to improve delivery efficiency within the city. Officials said the policy will incorporate digital freight management tools, real-time cargo tracking and data-driven planning systems to support logistics operations. The initiative comes amid growing demand for warehousing space in Delhi, driven largely by the expansion of e-commerce and urban distribution networks. By creating dedicated logistics infrastructure, the government aims to attract investment into the sector while building a more organised freight ecosystem for the capital. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
