Centre Launches Global Trade Guidebook for MSMEs

On 16 July 2026, the Centre for Trade and Investment Law at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, launched a guidebook titled Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs in New Delhi. The guidebook is a practical resource for Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises that covers export opportunities, market access requirements, trade intelligence tools, international standards, and sustainability norms.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in India

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are classified in India under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006. The classification is based on investment and turnover limits, and the sector includes manufacturing and services enterprises.

Guidebook Features and Trade Support Tools

The guidebook provides guidance on market analysis, buyer identification, and the use of freely available tools for reducing market research costs. It also addresses common constraints faced by MSMEs, including limited access to market information, weak knowledge of overseas buyers, compliance with international certifications, and price competitiveness.

Free Trade Agreements and Trade Remedies

The launch event included a panel discussion on India’s Free Trade Agreements and preferential Rules of Origin. The programme also included a presentation on the Trade Remedies Advisory Cell, which works on awareness of trade remedy laws and support against unfair trade practices and import surges.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Centre for Trade and Investment Law functions at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, which is a premier institution for trade-related studies in India.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry is one of India’s major industry associations and works with government and business stakeholders.
• Rules of Origin are used in Free Trade Agreements to determine the country of origin of a product for preferential tariff treatment.
• Trade remedies include anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures under international trade law.

MSMEs and Global Value Chains

MSMEs form a large part of India’s industrial base and are linked to employment generation, manufacturing output, and exports. The guidebook is intended to support their participation in global value chains and export-oriented business decisions.