SME Times News Bureau | 25 Jun, 2019
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has assured e-Commerce
companies that government will help them in promoting exports.
Goyal, along with Ministers of State, Hardeep Singh Puri and Som Parkash, held
an interactive session till late evening yesterday with e-Commerce companies to
discuss ways to bring about convergence of interests of e-Commerce platforms
and small retailers.
The session was also an exercise by DPIIT to understand
specific issues related to e-Commerce platforms, including sectors like
services, food and used goods.
Goyal, has directed Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to immediately form a committee headed by
Additional Secretary in DPIIT, with representatives of Department of Commerce,
Ministries of MSME, Consumers Affairs and legal experts from Government as
members.
The committee will hear grievances and provide
necessary clarifications on issues related to FDI in e-Commerce.
He reiterated that the Government will ensure
that small retailers and kirana shops thrive in the country.
The Minister informed that Commerce and Industry
Ministry is making all efforts to balance the interests of small businesses,
retailers, kirana shop owners and e-Commerce companies, and he will again hold
a meeting after a month.
During the interaction, Commerce and Industry
Minister said that the e-Commerce policy is work in progress and he assured
that enough time will be given to all stakeholders to adapt to any changes that
may be required.
More importantly, the changes will be prospective
and nothing will be implemented with retrospective effect. He urged e-Commerce
companies to always honor the spirit as well as letter of the
law.
Piyush Goyal also informed that the Ministry will
look at ways of facilitating sale of India’s handicraft and handlooms through
e-Commerce platforms. He especially emphasised on export promotion through
e-Commerce platforms.
Commerce and Industry Minister was of the view
that even as the interests of MSMEs and other small retailers are protected,
India will continue to embrace technology and digitalization to take the
economy forward.