A workshop titled “Trade Remedies and MSMEs: Building Capacity for Fair Trade” was held on 15 July 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Organised by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event aimed to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to utilise trade remedy mechanisms and defend against unfair trade practices.

The workshop provided MSMEs with insights into trade remedy tools, addressed current challenges, and explored strategies to improve participation in trade defence proceedings. Policymakers, trade remedy experts, and industry representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on legal frameworks, institutional processes, and data-related hurdles faced by smaller enterprises.

Shri Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary & Director General of DGTR, emphasised the importance of MSME associations to represent collective interests more effectively. Two technical sessions focused on legal structures, procedural complexities, and improving industry awareness.

Distinguished speakers included Shri Anant Swarup, former DG of DGTR, and Mr Andrea Mastromatteo from the World Trade Organization (WTO). Shri Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Advisor at CII, highlighted the growing challenges of global trade and the importance of institutional backing for Indian businesses.

Prof. James J Nedumpara, Head of CTIL, informed participants about the Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC), established to support MSMEs through comprehensive guidance during trade investigations.

The workshop concluded with an interactive session, where MSMEs voiced concerns, especially around anti-dumping cases in highly competitive sectors. The event reaffirmed the need for stronger legal readiness and coordinated institutional support. CTIL, DGTR, and CII jointly committed to enhancing the MSME sector’s participation in India’s trade remedy ecosystem.