Connect India is now a UPS authorized shipping outlet that is expected to connect customers in semi-urban and rural regions in India with the rest of the world.

The service is due to link UPS’s global network with Connect India’s last-mile logistics capabilities in the country. Customers in remote locations will be able to book international shipments through Connect India which will, in turn, make use of UPS’s global shipping services.

Connect India currently operates through a network of common service centers. Together they form a last-mile delivery network covering more than 50 cities, 650 district towns, and 8,000 small towns across India. According to Connect India, the company’s vision is to eventually cover about 25,000 pin codes and establish 50,000 Connect India centers over the next three years.

With this alliance UPS expects to further expand its presence beyond the metro and urban centers in India. The Connect India centers are expected to provide customers with access to a full range of international shipping options, including packaging and labelling. The centers are also due to accept prepaid, drop-off packages processed online at ups.com.

“The growing cross-border market in India and the renewed focus on boosting exports of indigenous products presents an opportunity to connect rural communities direct to an international delivery network,” said Mark Martyn-Fisher, managing director of UPS India. “Our alliance with Connect India is invaluable in opening new markets for the budding entrepreneur and SME company networks that need a reliable, convenient logistics system in order to survive and flourish.”

Connect India aims to “create a relevant marketplace platform for rural India,” said L. R. Sridhar, the company’s founder and CEO. “Even as we explore new partnerships to improve our last-mile distribution capabilities, being UPS’s Authorized Shipping Outlet will open up a whole new international market for our customers.”