Confederation of Indian E-commerce formed

The Confederation of Indian E-commerce (CIE), a not-for-profit trust of e-commerce companies, was formed recently to offer a neutral industry voice by bringing the government, the industry, policymakers and consumers on a single platform. Based in New Delhi, the organisation was conceived by a team of industry veterans, including Amitabh Singhal, past president of Internet Service Providers Association of India.

Key e-commerce companies as well as retail, micro, small and medium enterprises, and farmers associations have been invited to be members of the organisation.

“CIE aims to provide a dedicated platform for the retail and e-commerce companies to take up economic or policy issues with the government and other relevant agencies, support to MSMEs and traditional retail, promotion of exports and access to export markets, and easing regulatory compliances for export and returns by encouraging exports,” a CIE statement said.

The Confederation of Indian E-commerce was formed recently to offer a neutral industry voice by bringing the government, the industry, policymakers and consumers on a single platform. The New Delhi-based organisation was conceived by a team of industry veterans, including Amitabh Singhal, past president of Internet Service Providers Association of India.

In the year ending March 2021, the overall retail market shrunk by 5 per cent due to lockdown, while the e-retail market surged by 25 per cent to reach USD 38 billion. The e-commerce penetration has moved up to 4.6 per cent from 3.5 per cent last year.

CIE’s strategic adviser is Venky Venkatesh, a former chief executive officer at Press Trust of India news agency.

The organisation will also build a state-level agenda by working with the state governments to support the needs of e-commerce companies and MSMEs locally, a news agency reported.

CIE will be working closely with the state governments for integrating the MSMEs in the states with digital retail by facilitating them with the domestic and international market, it added.

CIE also aims to assist and build the ecosystem for the agriculture sector and promote technologies to empower the farming community.

It will also undertake evidence-based, scientific policy research and advocacy, including consumer research, capacity building, thought leadership, new membership drive, and representing members” concerns and issues to the government, among others.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)