India has begun the groundwork for the Business-Ready or B-Ready index, the World Bank’s new flagship report benchmarking the business environment and investment climate in economies worldwide. B-Ready is replacing the World Bank’s Doing Business index that ranked countries based on their business enabling environment.
As part of the exercise, the commerce and industry ministry has asked traders, clearing agents and freight forwarders for details such as total time and cost involved in social trade, especially when exporting digitally ordered goods.
The B-Ready report focuses on 10 topics in the life cycle of businesses such as business entry, labour, financial services, international trade and taxation.
The topic on international trade seeks to assess the efficiency of importing and exporting goods, services, customs clearances 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.
“Lesser trade barriers, compliance and transaction costs for firms are key to fully realise the benefits of international trade. We have begun preparing to ensure that we can take action on questions where we are not doing enough,” said an official.
India’s B-Ready report is expected to be published in April 2026. The ministry has sought details on whether any of the goods directly exported are ordered through electronic means and shipped by mail parcel or courier service. The information is crucial as India aims $200-300 billion in ecommerce exports by 2030. Ecommerce exports are estimated at $4-5 billion in FY23, accounting for 0.9-1.1% of India’s total merchandise exports, according to a report by consulting firm EY and industry group Assocham.
Firms have also been asked to enumerate the total time when exporting digitally ordered goods-from the moment the goods were ready to be picked up by postal or courier service until they were delivered. Besides, they have been asked to assess the total cost when exporting digitally ordered goods as a share of the total value of the exported goods and the average cost to comply with the requirements of border control agencies, logistics, and handling.
“We are trying that the B-Ready elements are also covered in the Business Reforms Action Plan,” the official said. The plan ranks states and assesses them on 301 reform action points that improve investor confidence and access to government services for citizens.
