The Indian E-Commerce Federation announced that the government, industry and consumers will be integrated into one platform

Recently, according to foreign media reports, with the support of the Confederation of Indian E-Commerce (CIE), India announced the establishment of a top association of e-commerce companies to provide an industry-neutral voice by bringing together government, industry, policymakers and consumers on one platform.

CIE is a trust and non-profit organization that will be headquartered in New Delhi. Major e-commerce companies as well as retail, MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) and farmers associations have been invited to become active members of CIE. According to a statement issued by CIE, "CIE aims to provide a dedicated platform for retail and e-commerce companies to discuss economic or policy issues with the government and other relevant agencies, support MSMEs and traditional retail, promote exports and entry into export markets, and relax regulatory compliance and returns on exports by encouraging exports."

In the year ending March 2021, the overall Indian retail market shrank by 5% due to policy blockades , while the e-retail market soared by 25% to $38 billion. E-commerce penetration has risen to 4.6% from 3.5% last year.

A team of industry veterans have come together to develop the initiative, including Amitabh Singhal (former CEO and founder of National Internet Exchange of India, and former president of Internet Service Providers Association of India) and Ajay Sharma (who has around two decades of experience in the internet sector and is one of India's top business associations).

CIE has hired Venky Venkatesh, former CEO of Press Trust of India (PTI), as its strategic advisor , bringing with him over three decades of FMCG knowledge and extensive experience in retail trade and media . Venky Venkatesh said that technological innovations in digital payments, hyperlocal logistics, analytics-driven customer engagement and digital advertising are expected to drive growth in the sector.

In addition to this, CIE issued a statement saying : "CIE will be the peak body for the industry and the profession. CIE intends to be the neutral voice of the industry by bringing together government, industry, policymakers and consumers on a single platform."

CIE said it will work with state governments to develop state-level agendas to support the needs of local e-commerce companies and small and medium-sized enterprises. The federation also aims to assist and build an ecosystem in the agricultural sector and promote technology to empower the agricultural community. The organization will also conduct evidence-based scientific policy research and advocacy, including consumer research, capacity building, thought leadership, new member campaigns, and represent members' concerns and issues to the government.

India

E-commerce

CIE