Archive · 14 Aug 2026
CII urges export diversification amid US tariff uncertainty
Imagine you sell lemonade to only one neighbour, and that neighbour suddenly says they might make you pay a big fine for every cup sold.
That is similar to what is happening with Indian companies and the United States.
A big helpers' group called CII, which supports businesses in India, is telling companies, 'Don't depend on just one buyer — learn to sell to more people in more places.'
CII's leader, Vir S Advani, says selling to more countries like the UK, Europe and Australia is the most important thing.
The group is also worried that taxes on goods coming into the US might become very high, which they call 'the big elephant' in the room.
CII is talking with the government to make it easier and cheaper for companies, especially small ones, to sell their products abroad.
They are even planning a programme to help small companies grow much bigger, from earning 100 crore rupees to 1,000 crore rupees.
CII also wants Gujarat to become a big centre for data centres, which are special buildings that safely store computer information.
Mr Bakeri says Gujarat has land, power and internet cables from the sea, so it could become the 'data centre capital' of India or even Asia.
The next big event where these ideas will be shown off is the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2027.
Vir S Advani, CII Western Region chairman, urged Indian companies to diversify export destinations and product baskets to reduce dependence on the US market.
Advani said uncertainty over United States (US) tariffs, including a '100 per cent tariff' he called 'the big elephant', is adding pressure on exporters.
CII is working with the Ministry of Commerce on a product- and country-level export approach, pointing to the UK, European Union and Australia as markets to examine.
CII is preparing an 'SME to MNC' programme for Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa to help firms with around Rs 100 crore revenue scale up over 24 months.
Achal Bakeri, CII Gujarat chairman, said Gujarat could become a data centre hub, with its Data Centre Policy 2026-29 targeting 7.5 GW of capacity.
- Who
- Vir S Advani, CII Western Region chairman, and Achal Bakeri, CII Gujarat chairman, speaking for the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
- What
- Called for export diversification, stronger MSME competitiveness and advanced manufacturing investment amid US tariff uncertainty.
- When
- Exact date of the roundtable not stated; remarks come ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2027.
- Where
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
- Why
- High inflation, rising import costs and uncertainty over US tariffs are pressuring Indian exporters, prompting calls to reduce US dependence and boost exports to manage balance of payments and the currency.
Government: reduce imports
CII: boost exports
Trade strategy for balance of payments
Government: reduce imports
The government is talking about reducing imports to manage the trade balance.
CII: boost exports
CII believes there is an opportunity to increase exports, arguing higher exports can also achieve balance of payments and help manage the currency.
- Organisation
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
- Key speakers
- Vir S Advani (CII Western Region chairman), Achal Bakeri (CII Gujarat chairman)
- Location
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Central concern
- US tariff uncertainty, including a '100 per cent tariff' described as 'the big elephant'
- Markets to diversify into
- UK, European Union, Australia
- 'SME to MNC' programme
- Covers Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa; targets SMEs with revenues around Rs 100 crore; 24 months of structured support
- Data Centre Policy 2026-29
- Targets 7.5 GW of capacity in Gujarat; Dholera identified as a key location
- Next event
- Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, January 2027