New Delhi, July 23, 2025 — In a significant step toward empowering India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) against unfair trade practices, a workshop titled “Trade Remedies and MSMEs: Building Capacity for Fair Trade” was jointly organized by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Department of Commerce, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Held on July 15, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, the event aimed to sensitize MSMEs to trade remedy mechanisms and bolster their active participation in the trade remedy regime.
The workshop served as a crucial platform for discussions on enhancing the capacity of MSMEs to navigate the legal and procedural aspects of trade remedies such as anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures. Given the increasingly competitive and complex global trade environment, the event highlighted the importance of institutional and legal preparedness for domestic industries to respond effectively to trade distortions caused by unfair imports.
Key Highlights and Stakeholder Insights
In his address, Shri Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary & Director General, DGTR, emphasized the necessity for MSMEs to form coalitions and industry associations to represent their interests more cohesively during trade remedy investigations. He reiterated that trade remedies are powerful tools available under WTO rules to protect domestic industry from injury due to unfair pricing or import surges, but their effective usage depends on awareness and proactive industry participation.
The workshop featured two intensive technical sessions focusing on the legal framework governing trade remedies, challenges in data collection and submission, and ways to overcome MSMEs’ operational limitations. Industry participants gained practical insights into navigating documentation, timelines, and evidentiary requirements necessary for filing trade remedy petitions.
Among the distinguished speakers were Shri Anant Swarup, former Additional Secretary and Director General, DGTR, and Mr. Andrea Mastromatteo, Director, Rules Division, World Trade Organization (WTO), who brought international perspectives to India’s trade remedy implementation. They stressed the importance of aligning domestic policies with global standards and ensuring that MSMEs are equipped to contribute to trade remedy actions.
Prof. James J Nedumpara, Head of CTIL, elaborated on the role of the Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC), a dedicated support unit established to provide legal and technical assistance to MSMEs engaged in or contemplating trade remedy petitions. He noted that despite the increasing availability of institutional resources, awareness and access remain major barriers for smaller enterprises.
Shri Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy Division, CII, underlined that domestic producers, especially MSMEs, often face formidable challenges in the global market due to price undercutting, subsidies, and non-tariff barriers. He called for deeper collaboration between industry and government bodies to ensure a responsive and inclusive trade remedy regime.
Engaging with Grassroots Concerns for MSMEs
The concluding segment featured an open dialogue between MSME representatives and regulatory authorities, where participants raised sector-specific issues, including the procedural burden and lack of financial resources in filing anti-dumping cases. Industries particularly affected by intense import competition shared their experiences, further emphasizing the need for simplified support mechanisms and greater awareness campaigns.
The event reinforced the shared commitment of CTIL, DGTR, and CII to fortify India’s fair trade ecosystem. As India aims to enhance its global competitiveness, enabling MSMEs—the backbone of the economy—to defend against unfair trade practices remains a strategic priority. This collaborative effort not only empowers domestic producers but also contributes to building a resilient and self-reliant industrial base. By equipping MSMEs with knowledge and institutional backing, India takes a decisive step toward ensuring inclusive and equitable participation in international trade.
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Source: PIB
