CTIL & CII Launch Guidebook 'Going Global' for Indian MSMEs
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Economy
Why in news
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) and CII have launched a guidebook titled 'Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs' to help MSMEs expand into global markets. This initiative addresses key challenges faced by MSMEs in international trade and provides a practical roadmap for export readiness.
Background
MSMEs are vital to India's economy but often struggle with limited market access, lack of buyer information, compliance with international standards, and price competition. The guidebook aims to bridge these gaps by simplifying market analysis and providing reliable tools.
Key facts
The guidebook 'Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs' was launched by CTIL (IIFT) in collaboration with CII on 16 July 2026 in New Delhi.
It serves as a one-stop practical resource for MSMEs to identify export opportunities, understand market access requirements, leverage trade-related information tools, comply with international standards, and become export-ready.
The guidebook addresses common challenges: limited market information, lack of buyer knowledge, difficulty in meeting international standards/certifications, and maintaining price competitiveness.
It provides a practical roadmap by simplifying market analysis, explaining standards/certifications, helping identify buyers, and directing to reliable, low-cost tools for market research.
A panel discussion followed the launch, covering preferential rules of origin under India's FTAs, strategies for identifying export destinations, understanding standards, product positioning, and enhancing competitiveness through value addition.
CTIL's Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC) presented its role in raising awareness about trade remedy laws and guiding domestic industry on unfair trade practices and import surges.
The event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, trade experts, and MSME stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs.
Speakers included Dr. James J. Nedumpara (Head, CTIL), Shri Sumanta Chaudhuri (CII), Shri Amitabh Kumar (Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce), and others.
Prelims pointers
- CTIL: Centre for Trade and Investment Law, under IIFT
- IIFT: Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
- CII: Confederation of Indian Industry
- FISME: Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises
- TRAC: Trade Remedies Advisory Cell
- MSME: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Guidebook: 'Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs'
- Launch date: 16 July 2026
- Venue: New Delhi
Mains angles
- GS3: Role of MSMEs in India's export growth and challenges in international trade
- GS3: Government initiatives for MSME promotion and export facilitation
- GS2: Role of institutions like CTIL and CII in trade policy and capacity building
- GS3: Impact of free trade agreements (FTAs) on MSMEs and rules of origin