Lok Sabha Question No. 131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Centres for Global Trade and Investment Issues
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, P.R. SUNDARAM, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  JULY, 2017

## CENTRES FOR GLOBAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT ISSUES

## 131. DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Department of Commerce under the Ministry is setting up four centres for trade and investment law, trade promotion, regional trade and capacity building;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  purpose  for  setting  up  of  these  centres indicating the main focus areas of the said centres;
- (c) whether these centres have been set up or being set up on the lines of the existing centres for WTO studies and will be part of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the other steps taken / being taken by the Government for setting up dedicated think tanks for global trade and investment issues?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Govt. has taken the policy decision to expand the research capabilities of the centre for WTO Studies under renamed Institution Centre for Research and International Trade (CRIT) which will continue to be a part of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). Accordingly, the Department has approved the proposal to set up four additional Centres in all, viz. Centre for Trade and Investment Law', 'Centre for Regional Trade', 'Centre for Trade-Related Capacity Building', and 'Centre for Trade Promotion' along with existing Centre for WTO Studies (since 1999). These Centres are being formed to widen scope to  better  handle  contemporary  and  future  requirements  like  international  trade  law, regional  studies,  trade  promotion  and  capacity  building.      Two  of  proposed  new  four Centres namely 'Centre for Trade and Investment Law', and 'Centre for Regional Trade' have  already  become  operational  this  year.  Stated  aims  and  objectives  of  the Scheme are:
- i) Centre for Research and International Trade:

To  influence international discourse on trade and  investment issues in consonance with India's interest. Detail objective of Centre for Research and International Trade (CRIT) may be seen at Annexure-I

- ii)   Centre for WTO Studies:

To provide institutional support to the government on negotiations in WTO as  well  as  on  other  trade  related  issue.  Detail  objectives  of  Centre  for WTO Studies, as per approved bye-laws, may be seen at Annexure-II.

- iii)  Centre for Trade and Investment Law:

For creating dedicated pool of legal experts who can advise the govt. on trade  and  investment  issues.  Without  a  risk  of  conflict  of  interest.  Detail objectives  of  Centre  for  Trade  and  Investment  Law  (CTIL),  as  per approved bye- laws, may be seen at Annexure-III.

- iv)  Centre for Regional Trade:

For analyzing economic developments in different regions and assessing their implications for India with China chair, ASEAN chair, Africa Chair to start  with.  Detail  objectives  of  Centre  for  Regional  Trade  (CRT),  as  per approved bye- laws, may be seen at Annexure-IV.

- v)  Centre for Trade-related capacity building:

To  undertake  training  for  government  officials/stake  holders  of  India,  other 'least  developed  countries'  and  developing  countries  in  capacity  building  for WTO matters (proposed). Detail objective this centre will be worked out when the bye-laws are framed.

- vi) Centre for Trade Promotion:

To  undertake  research  for  enhancing  India's  market  access  and  promoting exports.  Its  activities  would  have  territory/product  focus.  It  would  advise  the Government  and  exporters  on  export  opportunities,  constraints  and  market access barriers in main markets (proposed).

- (c) Yes, with specific objective as above.
- (d) Besides these centres, there is no other proposal for setting up any other think tanks for global trade and investment issues.

****

## PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (CRIT)

The main objectives of the Centre are as follows:

- a. influencing international discourse on trade and investment issues in consonance with India's interests;
- b. undertaking research on trade and investment issues from the development perspective for India and other developing countries;
- c. undertaking capacity building activities for domestic stakeholders as well as stakeholders from other developing country organizations/trade professionals;
- d. reducing the dependence of developing countries on think tanks and donor agencies of developed countries for intellectual inputs into their trade policy making;
- e. creating a dedicated pool of legal experts who can advise the Government on trade and investment issues without a risk of conflict of interest;
- f. systematic gathering of market intelligence for boosting India's exports;
- g. identifying and addressing barriers to India's exports of Goods and Services;
- h. analysing  economic  developments  in  China  and  select  countries  and  assessing  their implications for India;
- i. research  on  linkages  between  trade  rules  and  emerging  area  such  currency,  climate change, technological changes, etc.

## Purpose and objectives the Centre for WTO Studies (CWTOS).

The main objective of the Centre are as follows:

- a. To conduct, undertake and / or commission research and studies in International Trade, commerce and industry and subject related thereto;
- b. To  collaborate  with  research  and  /  or  industrial  organizations  of  repute  in  India  and abroad for conducting studies, research, exchange programmes, training and other such activities in the field of international trade, commerce and industry;
- c. To publish and disseminate research papers, reports, thesis etc. on trade related issues;
- d. To create capacity within India and developing capacities of other developing countries.
- e. To create WTO Cells in different states of India in consultation with Government;
- f. To  conduct  consultations  with  domestic  and  international  stakeholders  on  WTO  and other trade related matters;
- g. To provide as institutional support to the government on negotiations in the WTO as well as on other trade related matters;
- h. To  organize  and  fund  seminars,  workshops,  conferences  and  other  such  activities  to further research, studies and outreach on trade related issues within and outside India;
- i. To aid, advise and assist the Government on international trade issues; and
- j. To  provide  technical  support  and  assist  in  capacity  development  of  Department  of Commerce for data processing and related activities.
- k. To conduct any other activity that may be entrusted to the Centre.

## PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT LAW (CTIL)

The main objectives of the Centre are as follows:

- a. undertaking research on trade and investment issues from the development perspective for India and other developing countries;
- b. undertaking research for influencing international discourse on trade and investment issues in consonance with India's interests;
- c. advising the Government of India on trade and investment issues, without a risk of conflict of interest;
- d. to  anticipate  emerging  issues  on  trade  policy  and  investment  issues  and  to  inform  and shape evidence-based public debate and policy making in India and other developing countries;
- e. to provide the intellectual foundation for major international policy initiatives on trade policy and investment issues in India and other developing countries;
- f. to provide advice from the perspective of multilateral and  bilateral trade  and investment  agreements  for  domestic  policy  making  in  India  and  other  developing countries;
- g. to provide legal and policy related advice in relation to India's engagement in such multilateral and bilateral trade and investment agreements at broadly five stages: - negotiation and execution of the agreements;
8. -review and modification of the agreements;
9. -assessment of issues of compatibility of a proposed law or measure in India, with its legal obligations under the WTO/FTAs;
10. -assessment of issues of WTO/FTA compatibility of a measure or a practice, and
11. -strategy for action and dispute settlement proceedings (State-to-State or Investorto-State)  in  view  of  an  alleged  breach  of  a  legal  obligation  under  any  of  the agreements;
- h.  to  enhance  awareness  of  trade  and  investment  issues  among  multi-stakeholders, including Central Government Ministries, state governments, media, industry associations, civil society organizations and private sector; and assisting developing countries in improving their understanding of trade issues;
- i. to conduct any other activity that may be entrusted to the Centre.

## PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE FOR REGIONAL TRADE (CRT):

The main objectives of the Centre are as follows:

- a. undertaking  research  on  trade  and  investment  issues  relevant  to  specific  regions/countries, including Africa, ASEAN, China, EU, Japan, Korea, etc. from the perspective of implications for India and other developing countries;
- b. undertaking research for influencing international discourse on trade and investment issues  relevant  to  specific  regions/countries,  including  Africa,  ASEAN,  China,  EU, Japan, Korea, etc. in consonance with India's interests;
- c. advising  the  Government  of  India  on  trade  and  investment  issues  relevant  to  specific regions/countries,  including  Africa,  ASEAN,  China,  EU,  Japan,  Korea,  etc.,  without  a risk of conflict of interest;
- d. to  anticipate  emerging  issues  on  trade  policy  and  investment  issues  relevant  to specific regions/countries,  including  Africa,  ASEAN,  China,  EU,  Japan,  Korea, etc.and to inform and shape evidence-based public debate and policy making in India and other developing countries;
- e. to  provide  the  intellectual  foundation  for  major  international  policy  initiatives  on trade  policy  and  investment  issues  relevant  to  specific  regions/countries,  including Africa, ASEAN, China, EU, Japan, Korea, etc. in India and other developing countries;
- f. to  provide  legal  and  policy  advice  from  the  perspective  of  bilateral  trade  and investment relations relevant to specific regions/countries, including Africa, ASEAN, China,  EU,  Japan,  Korea,  etc.,  for  domestic  policy  making  in  India  and  other developing countries;
- g. to  enhance  awareness  of  trade  and  investment  issues  relevant  to  specific regions/countries, including Africa, ASEAN, China, EU, Japan, Korea, etc.among multi-stakeholders,  including  Central  Government  Ministries,  state  governments, media,  industry  associations,  civil  society  organizations  and  private  sector;  and assisting developing countries in improving their understanding of trade issues;
- h. to  undertake  research  on  opportunities  for  India  to  enhance  trade  and investment relations relevant to specific regions/countries, including Africa, ASEAN, China, EU, Japan, Korea, etc.
- i. to conduct any other activity that may be entrusted to the Centre.

****