RAI hopes that National Policy for Retail Trade will protect the interests of retail traders

New Delhi, June 26 (KNN) As Government is looking to bring in a national policy for retail trade, retailers are seeking conducive environment for retail trade in the country.

In this regard, the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) held a meeting with key retail associations and trade bodies across the country to discuss creation of a national policy for retail and internal trade.

This is the first time that a policy is being created at the centre for retail businesses in the country. What makes it more significant is that this policy is part of the 100-day action plan prepared by the new government.

Furthermore, this policy seeks to change the status quo for the better, hitherto there was no singular department taking ownership for facilitating ease of doing business for retailers and address multiple issues faced by them.

Retailers Association of India (RAI) was one of the key stakeholders of the meeting where it represented the voice of retailers across the country and shared its inputs.

The key recommendations RAI made for the policy includes suitable modification of laws to enable ease of doing business for retailers so they can focus on growing their business. For instance, laws around the various licenses that a retailer needs to get and keep concurrent, to open and run a retail establishment.

The compliances related to several licenses cause hassles and promote inspector raj. RAI suggests that the policy eliminate the obstacles created in the name of licenses.

Retailers be given proper infrastructure, logistics and warehouse support to boost the economic competitiveness of the business. Retail be included in the development plan of various cities with earmarked spaces for retail/entertainment developments, another recommendation RAI made.

In a statement, CEO of RAI, Kumar Rajagopalan said: “We at Retailers Association of India are hopeful that the government will create a good policy that will protect and further the interests of retail traders across the country and create a conducive environment for retail trade in the country. We also believe that this will culminate into removing of several bottlenecks and irritants to smooth running of retail businesses in the country."