Conference on Energizing MSME's in International Trade, Shillong, Meghalaya

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in association with the Ministry of MSME under the theme Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, is organizing a national conference on "Energizing MSME's in international trade" on 8th March 2022 at State Convention Centre beside Hotel Pinewood in Shillong, Meghalaya.

India's North Eastern Region (hereinafter the NER) is among the most endowed states in terms of natural resources, including several critical minerals that it possesses. Besides, NER sits at the doorstep of East Asia, the region with which India is increasing its economic ties. But despite these advantages, the NER has remained one of India's economically laggard regions, which accounts for a mere 2 percent of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009-10. High transactions costs contributed by the bottlenecks in the transport systems connecting the NER with the rest of India and the neighboring countries and the lack of other essential infrastructure have rendered the region perpetually underdeveloped (Bhattacharya and De, 2006; De, 2008). The relation between trade, infrastructure, and economic development within countries (read India) is a much-debated issue.

Over the past two decades, the Government of India has taken several steps for promoting trade on the borders with both Myanmar and Bangladesh. A border trade agreement with Myanmar was concluded in 1994, which allowed trade to take place initially through two points, viz. Moreh and Champhai, and subsequently through other points to be identified jointly by the two governments. Special focus and dedicated attention need to be paid to India's export promotion in its economic policies to leverage trade for higher sustained growth. Given the diverse elements that contribute towards an enabling and conducive foreign trade environment, any policy/strategy to boost exports requires the active support of all Stake Holders along with State Governments. Thus, States need to be engaged actively in export promotion activities and exports cannot exponentially increase without active involvement.