Seminar on FDI in Retail: Challenges for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Seminar on FDI in Retail: Challenges for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Date: October 1, 2011; Venue WASME House, Noida, Sector 16/A, UP, India

The retail sector is a dominant sector of the Indian economy. Unorganized retailing is the prevalent form of trade in India – constituting 98% of total trade, while organised trade accounts only for the remaining 2%. And final approval for the policy on FDI in multi-brand retail is expected to happen shortly.

The retail sector is a key pillar of the nation’s economy. India is emerging as world’s largest retail hub. Ever since the economic liberalization of 1991, India’s middle class has greatly expanded, and so has its purchasing power. Global supermarket chain stores such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Marks & Spencer and Tesco, Shoprite and several others would soon find their presence in major Indian cities along with large Indian retail chains. The retail industry can be divided into (i) organized large, (ii) unorganized. Unorganized retailing is by far the prevalent form of trade in India – constituting 98% of total trade, while organised trade accounts only for the remaining 2%. And final approval for the policy on FDI in multi-brand retail is expected to happen shortly. What are the implications of this policy on MSE retail trading sector?

Seminar focus and objective

Since the retail sector is being dominated by small and unorganized retailers, the seminar would discuss about various issues arising out of FDI in retail sector and its impact on various economic stake holders. Focus of the discussions would be on how MSMEs could address the challenges and various policy options that the government can adopt within the WTO framework. Following are the issues that would be discussed:

• FDI in retail: challenges for MSMEs
• Impact on the retail MSEs
• International experiences with respect to developing countries in retail FDI
• What are the policy options within the WTO framework
• Any other relevant aspects

For more details Contact:: P.Koshy, koshy@wasmeinfo.org, Koshy.wasme@gmail.com +91-9953871432 Or. Sidhartha Mishra, es@wasmeinfo.org +91-9871639300

About WASME
WASME, World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises, work for the promotion of micro, small and medium sized enterprises. It is always on the lookout for avenues for enterprises and entrepreneurs so as to enable people participate in the market process. It is the only international NGO promoting small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide. It has Members and Associates worldwide and enjoys consultative status with the concerned agencies in UN system such as Economic and Social Council, UNIDO, UNCTAD, WIPO, ILO and all regional UN Commissions. It also has operational relationship with UNESCO. www.wasmeinfo.org

WASME House,
Plot No. 4, Institutional Area, Sector 16A, Noida-201301, U.P., India
Tel:+91-120-4216283-84

This release was published on openPR.