New Delhi, Aug. 28 -- India is exploring new ways to boost e-commerce exports, but differences among stakeholders over the inventory-based model are slowing progress.

Indian Express has reported that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have urged the government to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in this model, arguing that it would reduce compliance burdens. However, major MSME bodies and traders remain strongly opposed.

According to Federation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (FISME) while there is merit in the case that e-commerce platforms could be used to handle logistics and other formalities for MSMEs in exports, opening the FDI could be slippery rope.

Currently, India permits 100 per cent FDI under the...