New Delhi: The 9th meeting of the National Traders’ Welfare Board (NTWB) was held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Sunil J. Singhi, with a strong focus on reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and empowering traders across the country.
The Chairperson welcomed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, noting that it marks a significant step toward reducing the compliance burden. The legislation amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts and decriminalises 717 provisions, aimed at making the regulatory environment more business-friendly.
Key reforms and initiatives discussed during the meeting included the simplification of licensing and registration processes by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, particularly benefiting small traders and food business operators.
The meeting also highlighted the Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, 2025, which promotes e-commerce by offering reimbursement of up to 75% of platform fees, capped at ₹50,000 annually, thereby encouraging digital participation among traders.
Further, initiatives like Udyam Registration and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana were recognised for facilitating collateral-free loans and supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.
In the area of digital empowerment, a presentation by the Open Network for Digital Commerce showcased “DigiDukaan,” a B2B platform currently operational in Hyderabad, with plans to expand to Jaipur and Bengaluru. The platform aims to enhance digital capabilities and market access for small retailers and kirana stores.
The Board also emphasised the importance of establishing State-level Traders’ Welfare Boards to strengthen grassroots engagement. While such a board has already been set up in West Bengal, efforts are underway in states including Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Officials noted that through coordinated efforts with various ministries, departments, and trade bodies, the NTWB is working toward timely resolution of traders’ concerns, with the broader goal of fostering inclusive and participatory economic growth.
The meeting was attended by representatives from trade associations, States and Union Territories, along with ex-officio members from nine Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.
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