(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
Mumbai, June 24, 2025 – The Center of Policy Research and Governance (CPRG) hosted a significant session of its ongoing Trade Roundtable Series at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Mumbai. The event brought together key stakeholders from financial institutions, the steel and aluminium industries, policymakers, and regulatory experts to discuss the growing impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers on India’s strategic metal sectors. The roundtable also focused on the evolving role of trade finance in reinforcing industrial resilience.

The session was held in collaboration with the NSE, which partnered with CPRG as the exchange partner. The event was graced by Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE, who actively participated in the discussions alongside economists, journalists, and policy professionals. The roundtable addressed multiple dimensions of trade disruptions including tariff shocks, capital flow optimization, and the overall implications for India’s competitiveness and export capacity.

Ashishkumar Chauhan, while speaking at the event, emphasized India’s strengths beyond traditional exports. “Our strategy need not be reactionary. While we may work on improving goods exports with finance, technology upgradation, incentives, policies and trade deals, our services and experience driven sectors have boundless potential and are key to shaping our global economic presence,” he stated, reinforcing the importance of diversifying India’s trade engines.

The dialogue also delved into India’s ongoing challenges in negotiating favorable free trade agreements. A strong focus was laid on enhancing the global appeal of GIFT City, integrating digital financial tools such as UPI into trade finance, and ensuring equitable benefits for both multinational corporations and MSMEs.

Dr. Ramanand, Director of CPRG, underlined the need for sustained cross-sector collaboration. “Continuous dialogue between economists, industry and institutions is essential to navigate the complexities of the global trade landscape. Our approach should be to build consensus among all the stakeholders while also holding India’s economic interests on priority,” he said.

As part of its broader initiative, CPRG’s Trade Roundtable Series aims to inform and shape India’s evolving trade strategy in response to dynamic geopolitical and economic developments. The next session in the series is scheduled for June 30 in Delhi, where stakeholders from the manufacturing and startup ecosystems will engage in focused discussions.