JULY 23: The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Department of Commerce, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organized a workshop on “Trade Remedies and MSMEs: Building Capacity for Fair Trade” on July 15, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event aimed to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by sensitizing them about available trade remedy mechanisms and strengthening their participation in safeguarding against unfair trade practices.
The workshop focused on enhancing awareness among MSMEs about trade remedy tools such as anti-dumping measures, countervailing duties, and safeguard mechanisms, which are essential for addressing challenges arising from trade distortions. The forum brought together key policymakers, trade remedy experts, and MSME industry representatives from diverse sectors for intensive knowledge-sharing sessions.
Shri Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary & Director General, DGTR, emphasized the importance of MSMEs forming industry associations to collectively represent their interests during trade remedy investigations. He pointed out that smaller firms, when united, can better articulate their concerns and actively engage in legal proceedings against unfair trade practices.
The workshop featured two technical sessions designed to deepen understanding of trade remedy frameworks and the specific challenges MSMEs encounter. These sessions examined the legal and institutional aspects of trade remedies, along with the complexities of data collection and compliance that often restrict MSME participation.
Shri Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy Division, CII, underlined the growing intricacies of the global trade landscape and stressed the importance of institutional mechanisms in addressing trade imbalances that impact domestic producers.
Prof. James J. Nedumpara, Head of CTIL, highlighted various initiatives aimed at supporting MSMEs, including the Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC) at CTIL, which provides dedicated assistance to smaller enterprises in navigating trade remedy investigations and filing necessary applications.
The event concluded with an interactive session where MSME representatives engaged directly with regulatory authorities to discuss pressing issues such as anti-dumping measures and the challenges of competing against low-priced imports.
The discussions reiterated the urgent need for coordinated institutional support, legal preparedness, and capacity-building initiatives to enable MSMEs to effectively leverage trade remedy frameworks. CTIL, DGTR, and CII reaffirmed their shared commitment to empowering MSMEs and ensuring a fair trade environment in India.
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