MAM
ONDC and Proxtera to unlock cross-border B2B prospects
Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, forays into international B2B exports with Proxtera coming in as its first international Buyer App.
Proxtera is the operationalisation of the Business Sans Borders (BsB) initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Proxtera is an innovative meta-hub that will connect B2B platforms and SMEs to explore trade opportunities, secure essential financing, and embrace digital transformation through the ONDC Network.
With the ONDC Network enabling B2B exports, Indian businesses will benefit from increased product visibility and digital access to digital markets. Businesses can eventually expect a seamless experience of being discovered, negotiating the best deal, exchanging relevant documents, completing cross-border payments and managing shipments, all facilitated within a fully digital framework.
In addition, SignCatch and Rapidor, with Bech.app and placeorder.com respectively, will be among the first seller network participants to join ONDC for international B2B trade, facilitating the reach of Indian products to global markets. Liquid Group, a fintech company within Proxtera’s financial services network, specializing in digital payments, joins as a cross-border payments provider for B2B buyers in Singapore.
This landmark collaboration cements a clear vision of the future of financial technology, ultimately establishing a globally recognised framework and democratizing access to global trade.
The ONDC – Proxtera collaboration was showcased during the fourth G20 global partnership for financial inclusion (GPFI) as part of the Global SME Finance Forum, held in Mumbai, India.
ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy said, “The demonstration today is a step towards enabling digital market access across borders for Indian businesses and SMEs. Proxtera, as the first international buyer app from Singapore, and the roles of SignCatch and Rapidor on the seller side in bridging the gaps between businesses through cross-border trade, are thus highly instrumental in this journey.”
SignCatch founder & CEO Sumit Duggal further stated, “As the first B2B Seller Platform for International Trade, SignCatch is closely working with ONDC and Proxtera to create a seamless digital highway connecting Bharat’s MSMEs to Global markets by leveraging Secure & Transparent Protocols. Our marquee export Seller platform Bech.app has been built to address the digital transaction needs of global commerce and the coming together of ONDC, Proxtera and SignCatch is a game-changer that would provide a huge impetus to foreign trade.
Proxtera CEO Saurav Bhattacharyya added, “As the first international B2B buyer app on ONDC, Proxtera is proud to enable new opportunities for SMEs to engage in cross-border trade. This collaboration is a pioneering step towards democratizing access to international trade for SMEs in India, Singapore and across the globe. With cutting-edge digital technology from Proxtera, buyers are able to effortlessly discover products and engage in real-time conversations with sellers across different buyer and seller platforms. Together with ONDC, we are simplifying global commerce, breaking down barriers, and unlocking a world of opportunities for B2B SMEs worldwide.”
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
