As the Apex Financial Institution for SSIs, SIDBI has been undertaking Policy Supportive research studies to enhance the competitiveness of SSIs against the backdrop of increasing competition in the Indian Industry accelerated by the process of globalisation. One of the major challenges facing most of the developing countries today is the new World Trade Regime, brought in by World Trade Organisation (WTO). WTO established in 1995 embodies the principles of uniformity, certainty and transparency in the international trading system. The various agreements entered into by WTO member nations including India will have far reaching implications on Indian Industry particularly the SSIs, as they have traditionally been constrained by a number of factors impeding their competitiveness. Some of the Agreements which have already had a significant impact on Indian industry and particularly the SSIs are GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade) and the Principles of Most Favoured Nation and National Treatment, Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), Agreement on Anti-dumping Measures and Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIMS).

During the last few years, Government policies relating to trade and industry in India have been substantially liberalized and modified in keeping with the WTO related trade obligations. These have accelerated competition for SSIs not only in the global markets but even in the domestic market due to the increased inflow of low cost imports and substantial FDI even in the hitherto SSI dominated sectors.

It was against this background that SIDBI initiated a series of WTO related sectoral studies to assess the impact of WTO Agreements on the SSIs and recommend strategic policy initiatives to enable them to face the challenges of WTO and capitalize on the emerging opportunities. These studies got conducted by SIDBI from professional consultancy organisations having expertise in respective field

• Leather and Leather Products
• Gems & Jewellery
• Drugs & Pharmaceuticals
• Dyes & Intermediates
• Textiles including Readymade Garments
• Toys.