The Untapped Export Potential of India’s Middle-Class Entrepreneurs

New Delhi [India], October 13: MSMEs, manufacturing businesses and established traders have become an integral part of India’s expanding export story. Easier access to information, and expanding global demand, brings new possibilities as digital platforms, and more professionals and entrepreneurs are turning to international markets as a potential path to business growth. However, for businesses seeking to enter or expand in international markets, the complexity of the export procedures, market identification, buyer acquisition and international compliance can present significant operational challenges.

Within this evolving environment, K. Hariharan, an entrepreneur who started ALTIRA EXIM Academy is working on rendering global trade more approachable. His emphasis is on helping MSME promoters, manufacturing heads, corporate executives and established traders understand the practicalities of exports and research international business opportunities through structured market-entry planning, pragmatic working-capital deployment, trade-finance strategies and supply-chain readiness.

Increasing access to global trade

The entrepreneurial trajectory of Hariharan has gradually taken a turn towards making the export-import process more structured and commercially actionable for businesses seeking to establish or expand their international presence. His ALTIRA work focuses on practical aspects like product selection, global market research, buyer acquisition, documentation, compliance, sourcing and logistics.

The academy’s mission is to equip businesses and trade professionals with knowledge, frameworks and execution capabilities required to develop and scale international trade operations. Its learning framework includes EXIM basics, documentation, compliance, logistics, payments and international trade, and has proprietary digital tools and mentorship.

This focus on accessibility is particularly relevant as India’s export ecosystem expands. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry estimates that India’s combined merchandise and services exports reached US $860.09 billion in FY2025-26,compared with US $825.26 billion in the previous financial year.

Linking people with export opportunities

Hariharan’s model is designed not only for established exporters but also for MSME promoters, manufacturing heads, corporate executives and capitalized traders seeking to build or expand their international trade capabilities.

ALTIRA’s positioning focuses on businesses and decision-makers seeking structured international market entry, regulatory compliance and cross-border commercial execution. ALTIRA’s curriculum provides an end-to-end operational blueprint, guiding business leaders through the regulatory, logistical, and commercial complexities of global execution.

A Greater Policy Opportunity

Hariharan’s mission is also going on in a policy backdrop that is increasingly slanted towards expanding India’s export base. The Government of India approved the export promotion mission (EPM) in November, 2025 with an outlay of Rs. 25,060 crores for FY2025-26 to FY2030-31. The Mission is specifically targeting increase in export competitiveness including through MSMEs and first-time exporters.

The initiative comprises two complementary streams – NIRYAT PROTSAHAN (to enhance access to affordable trade finance) and NIRYAT DISHA (to address non-financial requirements including export quality and compliance, international branding, packaging, logistics, market access and trade intelligence).

Understanding such programmes can form an important part of the strategic preparation required by businesses seeking international market entry and export expansion.

Shift from export education to global participation

The greater vision of Hariharan’s efforts is to make more Indians feel that global trade is open to them. Instead of only focusing on the exporting potential of large businesses, his model aims to start thinking about international business as an option for professionals, entrepreneurs and small-business owners.

The ALTIRA model has evolved into an institutional trade-enablement platform combining structured knowledge, market intelligence and specialized cross-border execution advisory. It promises to help participants make the leap from “knowing about exports” to “leaping into and scaling global markets” via its four-stage structure: foundation, strategy, execution and scale.

It also embodies Hariharan’s larger idea: providing opportunities for people to engage in the global economy and develop their own businesses.

India’s goods on the move

Hariharan’s initiatives at ALTIRA thus serve as an operational bridge between Indian businesses and the expanding opportunities of international trade. He is not simply teaching export procedures; he is building the strategic and operational capabilities required for Indian businesses to participate effectively in international markets.

With India’s growing export ecosystem and new initiatives focused on MSMEs and new exporters, hands-on learning and market insights are more relevant than ever. As part of ALTIRA, Hariharan is striving for a model where export knowledge can be accessed beyond the confines of the business world; one which enables aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about the processes, opportunities and responsibilities associated with exporting Indian products to international markets.

The idea underlying Hariharan’s approach is simple: equipping more Indian businesses, particularly MSMEs, with strategic, financial and operational capabilities to pursue international markets can strengthen India’s presence in global trade.