The National E-Commerce Policy of India, a significant initiative by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, is nearing its final stages and is expected to be announced soon. This was confirmed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who indicated that the policy is at the final stages of discussion at the highest levels of government.
The development of this policy began in 2018, with an initial draft released in 2019. Since then, multiple rounds of consultations have taken place, involving various stakeholders in the e-commerce sector. The policy aims to address six broad areas of the e-commerce ecosystem: data, infrastructure development, e-commerce marketplaces, regulatory issues, stimulating the domestic digital economy, and export promotion through e-commerce.
One of the key objectives of the policy is to strike a balance between the interests of different stakeholders, including investors, manufacturers, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), traders, retailers, startups, and consumers. This comprehensive approach is expected to foster a conducive environment for sustainable growth in the e-commerce sector.
In August, detailed discussions were held by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with representatives from e-commerce firms and a domestic traders’ body regarding the proposed policy. The DPIIT is also working on a national retail trade policy, alongside the e-commerce policy.
Domestic traders, represented by CAIT, have been vocal in demanding the rollout of this policy, alleging malpractices and norm violations by foreign online retailers. They have urged the government to take action against those indulging in such practices.
The impending announcement of the National E-Commerce Policy is highly anticipated, as it is expected to provide a structured framework for the rapidly evolving sector, addressing key concerns and guiding its future growth trajectory.