The 6th edition of International Conference Movement Against Smuggling and Counterfeit Trade (MASCRADE) for 2019 was held at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi on September 26-27, 2019 under the theme “Containing Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy: A Winning Strategy”. This annual flagship event was organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s (FICCI) Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE).
Key Points:
i. Release of report: A detailed report titled – Invisible Enemy – Impact of Smuggling on Indian Economy and Employment 2019 was released. The study was commissioned by FICCI CASCADE and conducted by Thought Arbitrage Research Institute (TARI) for the first time in India.
ii. Findings of the report: It pointed out that
- Smuggling of goods in 5 sectors namely textiles, ready-made garments, cigarettes, machinery & parts and consumer electronics prevented the addition of over 16 lakh jobs in India in 2017-18 and Indian economy lost Rs 1.17 trillion.
- Of 16 lakh jobs, over 5 lakh jobs addition was directly impacted because of smuggling and over 11 lakh jobs were lost because of backward linkage and multiplier effects of these industries.
- Smuggling and output loss to the domestic readymade garments industry increased to Rs 5,509 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 3,780 crore in 2015-16.
- Trade in smuggling, contraband, counterfeit and pirated goods has increased steadily in the last few years and stood at 3% of global trade.
iii. Honour: During the event, the Best Performing Officers who have contributed to combat illegal activities were felicitated.
iv. Members present: Mr Nityanand Rai, Hon’ble Minister of State, Home Affairs, Government of India; Mr Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State, Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India; Mr Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE; Mr. P. K Das, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and others were present.
About FICCI:
♦ Established: 1927
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi