IIFT Launches Guide Book to Help MSME Use Global Value Chains

· Guidebook launched: CTIL (IIFT), in collaboration with CII, launched "Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs" in New Delhi.

· Purpose: To serve as a one-stop practical resource helping MSMEs become export-ready and expand into international markets.

· Key support areas:

o Identify export opportunities.

o Understand market access requirements.

o Use free trade intelligence tools.

o Comply with international standards and sustainability requirements.

o Improve export preparedness.

· Challenges addressed:

o Limited market information.

o Lack of knowledge about overseas buyers.

o Compliance with international standards and certifications.

o Maintaining global price competitiveness.

· Practical guidance includes:

o Market analysis techniques.

o Standards and certification requirements.

o Buyer identification strategies.

o Use of reliable, free market research tools.

· Panel discussion focused on:

o Using preferential Rules of Origin (RoO) under India's FTAs.

o Leveraging FTA cooperation mechanisms.

o Identifying promising export markets.

o Meeting international standards.

o Product diversification and value addition for competitiveness.

· Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC):

o CTIL presented TRAC's role in creating awareness on trade remedy laws.

o Provides guidance on unfair trade practices and import surges affecting domestic industry.

· Participants: Policymakers, industry representatives, trade experts and MSME stakeholders discussed ways to enhance MSMEs' global competitiveness.

· Key speakers: Dr. James J. Nedumpara (CTIL), Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri (CII), Anil Bhardwaj (FISME), and Amitabh Kumar (Department of Commerce).

· Conclusion: Emphasised:

o Building trust and partnerships among MSMEs.

o Promoting joint ventures and participation in trade exhibitions.

o Strengthening institutional support.

o Effective use of the guidebook to integrate Indian MSMEs into global value chains (GVCs).

[ABS News Service/17.07.2026]

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), launched the guidebook Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs in New Delhi on 16 July, 2026. Representatives from CII presented an overview of the guidebook, which has been developed as a one-stop practical resource to help MSMEs identify export opportunities, understand market access requirements, leverage freely available trade intelligence tools, comply with international standards and sustainability requirements, and build export readiness.

The guidebook addresses common challenges faced by MSMEs, including limited access to market information, inadequate knowledge of overseas buyers, difficulties in complying with international standards and certifications, and maintaining price competitiveness. It provides a practical roadmap by simplifying market analysis, explaining standards and certification requirements, offering guidance on identifying buyers, and highlighting reliable, freely available tools that can reduce the cost of market research. The publication is intended to enable MSMEs to make informed business decisions and participate more effectively in international trade.

Following the launch, a panel discussion moderated by Sumanta Chaudhuri brought together Ridhish Rajvanshi, Senior Research Fellow, CTIL; Dr. Animesh Saxena, Managing Director, Neetee Apparels and Past President, FISME; and Mr. Nalin Kohli, Chairman, Araina Group. The discussion examined opportunities for Indian MSMEs to expand into international markets through the effective use of preferential Rules of Origin and cooperation mechanisms under India's Free Trade Agreements. The panellists also discussed strategies for identifying promising export destinations, understanding international standards and certification requirements, positioning products to meet global demand, and enhancing competitiveness through diversification and value addition.

The event also featured a presentation by Ms. Tanvi Praveen, Consultant, CTIL, on the Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC). The presentation highlighted the role of TRAC in supporting domestic industry by creating awareness about trade remedy laws and providing guidance on issues relating to unfair trade practices and import surges.

The event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, trade experts and MSME stakeholders to deliberate on practical strategies for strengthening the global competitiveness of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The inaugural session commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. James J. Nedumpara, Head, Centre for Trade & Investment Law, followed by context-setting remarks by Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy Division, CII. The session also featured remarks by Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General, Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME). Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Amitabh Kumar delivered the Special Address.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, enabling participants to engage with policymakers and industry experts on practical aspects of export preparedness, standards compliance and market access. The concluding remarks emphasised the importance of building trust and partnerships among MSMEs through joint ventures, participation in trade exhibitions, stronger institutional support and effective utilisation of the tools provided in the guidebook to facilitate their integration into global value chains.