A new report has revealed that 80 percent of women-led businesses in India face challenges with international payments, while 60 percent struggle with complex regulatory compliance. The report, prepared by Aspire For Her and payment solutions provider Payoneer, sheds light on the barriers preventing women entrepreneurs from expanding into global markets.
Despite their growing economic contributions, women-led enterprises make up only 15.4 percent of India’s 58.5 million businesses. The report highlights that over 300 women entrepreneurs were surveyed, identifying four key challenges limiting their international business growth:
Major Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs in Cross-Border Trade
-
International Payment Barriers:
- Payment delays and funding shortages restrict global expansion.
- Limited access to trade credit and business loans hampers scaling efforts.
-
Regulatory and Compliance Hurdles:
- 60 percent of women entrepreneurs struggle with export laws, trade regulations, and compliance requirements.
- Navigating customs procedures remains a significant barrier.
-
Limited Financial Resources:
- Women entrepreneurs often face challenges in securing investment and financial support.
-
Logistics and Supply Chain Issues:
- High shipping costs, customs delays, and unreliable logistics partners create bottlenecks in international trade.
Bridging the Gap for Women Entrepreneurs
The report emphasizes the need for structural reforms and better financial accessibility to enable women-led businesses to compete globally.
“Removing these obstacles—whether in financial accessibility or regulatory complexities—can be transformative. The key is to build an ecosystem that enables women-led businesses to scale beyond borders and make a lasting contribution to the global economy,” said Madhura Dasgupta Sinha, Founder and CEO of Aspire for Her.
In an effort to address these challenges, Payoneer India has launched SheExports, a program offering:
- Expert guidance on global payment solutions.
- Locally hosted workshops to help women navigate compliance and trade regulations.
- Financial tools and resources to assist women-led businesses in international markets.
Also read: AWS to Invest $8.3B in Maharashtra
A Path Towards Inclusive Global Trade
With India’s women entrepreneurs playing an increasingly vital role in the economy, addressing these payment and compliance challenges is essential to unlocking their global trade potential.
By fostering better financial inclusion, reducing regulatory barriers, and enhancing digital payment access, women-led businesses can thrive in the international marketplace and contribute significantly to India’s global trade ambitions.
(This report was first published by PTI.)
