Retail Trade

The Indian retail sector is ripe for liberalization and greater international participation. Liberalization can have enormous positive effects by creating new and better employment opportunities, by introducing modern retail formats and technology, and by modernizing supply chain management and distribution. Retail liberalization will be particularly helpful to Indian farmers in building new and better markets for their products. USIBC member-companies represent technical and financial resources that can support India's retail opening, respecting the fact that this must be done in a manner that benefits all segments of Indian society.

USIBC's Retail Trade Executive Committee focuses on several objectives that are outlined below:

• Continue to press for relaxation of FDI caps in multi-brand and single-brand retail
• Build awareness and acceptance of alternate channel retailing in India
• Promote the use of direct selling by seeking clarity on relevant regulatory guidelines
• Highlight examples where retail openings have bolstered supply chain infrastructure investments and generated employment
• Participate in U.S.-India bilateral dialogues in support of retail market access
• Ensure successful entry to India of professional retailers via the franchise route