Past Events

Awareness Programme on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling & Counterfeiting

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling Focus State: Lucknow

Seminar on Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling

November 8, 2022 | Hotel Ramada Plaza, Guindy, Chennai

Technological advent, fast communication channels and globalisation have given impetus to the exponential growth of illicit trade in dangerous forms such as counterfeiting and smuggling. According to the World Economic Forum, the economic leakage from illicit trade creates an annual drain on the global economy of $2.2 trillion, which is nearly 3% of the world’s economy. FICCI CASCADE believes that awareness and outreach is an essential element in building a proactive strategy to curb this growing menace of counterfeiting and smuggling. With this view, FICCI CASCADE organised a seminar on “Preventive Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 8th November 2022 at Hotel Ramada Plaza, Guindy, Chennai. The objective of the seminar was to focus on spreading awareness and enabling a dialogue between the stakeholders on the alarming magnitude of illicit trade to exterminate this demon from the society.

Dr. G S K Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD, Trivitron / Neuberg Group of Companies in his welcome address said the existence and operation of counterfeiting and smuggling are broad in scope and large in value impacting not only the global economy causing losses to both industry and government, but also adversely affecting consumer health and safety and hugely funding terror activities across the globe. He emphasized that the consumers must ask for a bill while making any purchase in order to make India a tax complaint nation and encouraged citizens to be a part of progressive nation building.

Mr. P C Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) while outlining the landscape of illicit trade practices, highlighted that FICCI CASCADE’s recent report titled “Illicit Markets: A Threat to Our National Interests” examines the impact of illicit trade in five key industries in India namely Mobile Phones, FMCG-Household and Personal Goods, FMCG-Packaged Foods, Tobacco Products, and Alcoholic Beverages. According to the report, he said that the size of illicit market in the above-mentioned industries was ₹2,60,094 crore for the year 2019-20, with the FMCG industry — household and personal goods, and packaged foods together accounting for 3/4th of the total illicit value of goods in five key industries. The report further estimates that unlawful trade in the five above-mentioned industries results in a total estimated legitimate employment loss of 15.96 lakh. The estimated tax loss to the government due to illicit goods in these industries is Rs 58,521 crore, with two highly regulated and taxed industries, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages, accounting for nearly 49% of the overall tax loss.

Thiru. R. SAKKARAPANI, Hon’ble Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu was the chief guest at the programme. In his inaugural address he suggested that FICCI CASCADE should organize awareness programs in educational institutions and extensively involve the youth in this fight against illicit trade. He further urged FICCI CASCADE to propagate the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling on social media channels, newspapers and other promotional sources in order to make the general public aware of this alarming issue.

Hon’ble Minister informed that the stringent actions by the government and enforcement agencies in the state of Tamil Nadu has reduced smuggling of watches, gold, alcohol and Indian currency, to a considerable extent, but there’s a lot that still needs to be done.

Mr. Bhupesh Nagarajan, Co-Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD, Indira Projects
in his concluding remarks said that counterfeiting and smuggling is damaging national progress by impacting its financial, social and physical health across the globe. There is vital need for the policy makers, enforcement agencies and industry to be on the front foot, to tackle it.

The seminar generated discussions on the policies to prevent counterfeiting and smuggling among senior officials including Mr. G. Ravindranath, Principal Commissioner, Chennai Customs, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police, Chennai, Ms. S. Saroja, Executive Director – Consumer Advisory and Outreach Vertical, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) and Mr. Amrith Lal, Convenor, FICCI Tamil Nadu Finance & Taxation Panel and Senior Partner, KRT & Co.

Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi while chairing the session said that increasing the rule of law and enhancing effectiveness of penalties and sanctions is important to curb the mounting hazards of counterfeiting and smuggling. It is imperative that businesses should take proper steps to protect consumers from the proliferation of scammers and infringers that seek to take advantage of the situation. He mentioned that capacity building in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology among the enforcement agencies in improving the detection and investigation of crimes will play an important role in making a conducive environment, free of illicit markets.

Mr. G. Ravindranath, Principal Commissioner, Chennai Customs said that smuggling is a transborder and transnational crime. It destabilizes the legal industry, restrain innovation and investment, reduces government revenues and hampers the health and safety of consumers. Therefore, strict enforcement plays a very important role in curbing this menace.

“Customs and border control agencies are playing a proactive role in preventing illicit trade and disrupting transnational smuggling operations. Indian customs have built a legal and administrative system, pioneering the implementation of automation, risk management and data analytics to combat illicit trade”, he added. Creating public awareness, increasing surveillance, coordination and concerted efforts are required amongst various stakeholders, enforcement agencies, industry, partnership with private stakeholders and consumers can help counter the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling, Mr. Ravindranath suggested.

Mr. Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police, Chennai highlighted that the online sale of counterfeit products counts to $323 billion, out of which $ 98 billion accounts to consumer goods. Counterfeits in pharmaceuticals is a major issue affecting public health, and healthcare systems around the globe. Trade-in pharmaceutical counterfeits during COVID 19 spiked majorly in products such as vaccines, medicines, test kits, antibiotics, face masks and sanitizers. He also mentioned that illicit trade is a national threat, through which black money is generated which further funds organised crime like terrorism.

Ms. S. Saroja, Executive Director – Consumer Advisory and Outreach Vertical, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) highlighted the need for continuous awareness generation to educate the consumers on the potential risks and detrimental impact of buying and using counterfeit, fake, spurious and smuggled products.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 120 industry captains, representative from consumer forums, lawyers, government officials and other stakeholders.

There is a need for consumers to demand their right of genuine and authentic products the seminar aims to awake the stakeholders on this menace.

8th Edition MASCRADE 2022

22-23 September 2022 | Shangri-La, New Delhi

MASCRADE 2022 focuses on imparting knowledge and creating awareness amongst the consumers about their rights, duties and responsibilities to safeguard their welfare and interest from illicit trade network. It will provide a platform to analyse and promote deliberations among the stakeholders on the adverse socio-economic impact of illicit trade is an unfair trade practice that undermines private sector contributions to economic growth and employment. It chokes market growth, sabotages global supply chains, squanders natural resources and endangers security

The growing network of illicit trade is a grave oncern as it endangers lives of the consumers. Inadequate legal framework and lack of consumer awareness are shaping the dynamics of illicit trade. Imparting knowledge to the consumer on the importance of promoting genuine goods in the country can go a long way to tackle this menace. Therefore, significant policy reforms and strategies should be enhanced to fight against the growing hazards of counterfeiting and smuggling with the goal of keeping consumer safe.

“Our goal is to foster a healthy discussion on newer and practical strategies to mitigate the challenges of counterfeiting and smuggling”

WHAT ARE WE DISCUSSING THIS YEAR?

• To Empower, Inspire and Connect Consumers for a Safer and Healthier World 
• Reining in the Threat Posed by Online Bad actors to your Business and its Consumers 
• An Inter-ministerial Dialogue on Prioritizing the Fight Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling – Towards socio-economic development in India’s ‘Amrit Kaal’
• Issues, Trends and Collaborations – Need for Proactive Strategies to stay ahead of illicit players
• Accelerating Action Against Organized Crime fueling Illicit Trade – Identify, Analyze and Respond

Youth Awareness Programme: ZERO -EVASION

Date: 17^th August 2022 | FICCI, New Delhi

Over the years, FICCI CASCADE is working on creating awareness on tackling the problem of smuggling and counterfeiting which is a serious menace to public health and safety. Along with policy makers, industry, enforcement officials and media, we have also been working closely with the youth in our fight to address this issue through various interschool and intercollege competitions and programmes.

FICCI CASCADE believes that it is important to bring the youth onboard the awareness campaign and through them influence the society as a whole. It will help in empowering and strengthening them to act for national development and will also help in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.

In our endeavour, to sensitize the young minds on the need to work together to address the growing hazards posed by counterfeiting and smuggling, FICCI CASCADE is organizing a Youth Awareness Programme on “Ill effects of Smuggling & Counterfeiting on the Country and the Role of Youth in Making India Free of Illicit Trade” on 17th August at FICCI, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi.

The programme will have competitions among the students of various schools from Delhi and NCR in the following/categories:

• Painting Competition    
• Elocution Competition 
• Creative Writing Competition

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling

6 July 2022 | Haryana Police Academy

Over the past few years, FICCI CASCADE has been working closely with government, industry, enforcement officials, legal fraternity, consumer organizations and the youth to create awareness on the adverse impact of the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling.  Among other activities, FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.

With this background, FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organized a Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers of Haryana on “Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling” at Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban on 6th July 2022.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Dr Arun Kumar Singh, DIG, Haryana Police Academy stated that Haryana Police is taking significant actions to curtail the problem of illicit trade which is posing serious hazards to public health and safety. Dr Singh opined that lack of awareness in the society is shaping the dynamics of illicit trade. Imparting knowledge and raising awareness on the ill effects of counterfeiting and smuggling can go a long way to tackle it. He emphasized on the need for such training programmes, which not only sensitizes the officers on the magnitude of the problem but also helps them to understand the intricacies of smuggling and counterfeiting.

While giving an overview on Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Mr Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi said, “The grey market is fuelling illegitimate industry, leading to increased criminalization in the society. This capacity building program is aimed to sensitize the police officers on the importance of continued
awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled products.” He highlighted that as per the recent FICCI CASCADE study, in FY 2018-19, Indian economy loses Rs 1,17,253 crore due to smuggling in the five key sectors and total livelihood opportunities lost is 16.36 lakhs.

Mr Nitin Saluja, Senior Policy Manager, Customer Trust, Amazon India said, “Amazon is focused in mitigating fraud and abuse on marketplaces that hamper customer trust. Amazon has introduced several initiatives and have put in resources to make its marketplace a reliable and safe platform for customers, brands, and sellers to conduct transactions. He further added that Amazon is committed to promoting and participating in the efforts for ensuring that the consumers are empowered to enjoy the benefits of online shopping while being protected from the risks the digital era may present.

Mr Ashish Sawant, Assistant Manager, Global Brand Protection, APAC Region, Johnson & Johnson accentuated that counterfeit products have a detrimental impact on both the manufacturers and consumers. It poses severe risk to company’s reputation, brand image and negatively affect the consumers’ confidence in the global market. It also affects businesses and consumers alike by sowing mistrust in genuine products made by reputable brands, Mr. Sawant added.

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling

Focus State: Tamil Nadu

FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organized a Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers of Tamil Nadu on “Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling” at Tamil Nadu Police Academy, Chennai on 31st May 2022. The capacity building programme was organized with an aim to sensitize the police officers on the importance of continued awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled goods.

Dr. A Amalraj, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu & Director, Tamil Nadu Police Academy was the chief guest at the programme. Dr Amalraj while highlighting the menace of illicit goods said that such products are not only harmful for consumers but also incur huge losses to the government exchequer. He also emphasized on the need for such training programmes, which not only sensitizes the officers on the magnitude of the problem but also help them to understand the intricacies of smuggling and counterfeiting. He added that “Police is directly involved in stopping the circulation of illicit goods in the society.”

While giving an overview on Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Mr Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi said, “Capacity building in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology is essential for the law enforcement agencies in improving the detection and investigation mechanism of crimes relating to counterfeiting and smuggling.” Sharing data from a recent study by FICCI CASCADE, Mr Chand said, in the FY 2018-19 Indian economy saw a loss of Rs.1,17,253 crore and loss of 16.36 livelihood opportunities due to smuggling in five key sectors.

Mr Pradeep Dixit, Vice President, Industry Affairs, ITC Ltd mentioned that proceeds from the sale of counterfeit, smuggled and contraband products contribute to the funding of criminal activities all across the globe. It is vital that industry and enforcement officers work in close collaboration to address this mounting hazard.

Mr Nitin Saluja, Senior Policy Manager, Customer Trust, Amazon India discussed about Amazon’s efforts in mitigating fraud and abuse on marketplaces that hamper customers trust and how Amazon via its various initiatives puts in enormous resources to deliver on its established tenets and to make its marketplace a reliable and safe platform for customers, brands, and sellers to conduct transactions. He stated that amazon is committed to promoting and participating in the efforts for ensuring that the consumers are empowered to enjoy the benefits of online shopping while being protected from the risks, the digital era may present.

Mr. Ashish Sawant, Assistant Manager, Global Brand Protection, APAC Region, Johnson & Johnson emphasized that misspellings, font or print format differences, unprofessional looking packaging, poor print quality, holograms that appear as foil stickers are the major clues to identify illicit products.

Dr. R. Sivakumar, IPS, Deputy Director, Tamil Nadu Police Academy proposed vote of thanks and stated that significant actions are being taken by the officers continuously to put down the illicit trade activities posing serious risk to public health and safety.

FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling

Focus State: Gujarat 

Medium: VIRTUAL

With the objective to sensitize the police officers of Gujarat to combat the socio-economic evils of illicit trade from the society, which are risky parasites to the economy and cause danger to the lives of individuals, FICCI CASCADE organized a “Capacity Building Programme for Gujarat Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 20^th May 2022.

Addressing the programme Mr. Saurabh Tolumbia, Deputy Inspector General of Police, CID (Crime and Railways), Gujarat said that the recent biggest seizure in Gujarat included duplicate versions of sunglasses of a high-end brand, worth ₹6 Crores. He stated that there have been 46 copyright cases over the last 2 years and Gujarat Police have managed to seize counterfeit goods worth Rs 12.5 Crore. He further mentioned that the police have seized duplicate watches amounting to more than Rs 3 Crore 31 Lakhs, and duplicate mobile accessories worth Rs 83 Lakhs.

Mr. P C Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in his welcome address said, “The illegal activities of counterfeiting and smuggling are flooding the market with substandard fake goods which are produced without following quality norms at unhygienic places, and are sold without issuing bills, thus contributing towards increase in unaccounted money.” Trade in counterfeit and smuggled goods has developed a substantial threat to the economy of our country and pose serious safety and security hazards to the society at large, he added. He also stated that the valiant police officers of Gujarat Police, have over the last couple of months taken several actions against criminals dealing with fake currency, illicit alcohol, smuggled cigarettes, fake injections and drugs.

While giving an overview on Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Mr Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi highlighted the global estimates of illicit trade. He said that the wider social, investment and criminal enforcement costs due to smuggling and counterfeiting could touch $4.2 trillion by 2022, putting at risk 5.4 million legitimate jobs. As per the recent FICCI CASCADE study, in the FY 2018-19 Indian economy loses Rs 1,17,253 crore due to smuggling in the five key sectors and total livelihood opportunities lost is 16.36 lacs, he added.

He apprised on the innovative ways of counterfeiting and smuggling adopted by the illicit traders to run their illegal market network. He highlighted that India is an emerging economy and is on the right track to become the 3^rd largest economy in the world by 2025. To achieve the same, industrial growth need to be increased; more investment needed for growth and development; increase in expenditure on R & D is required and police being the primary enforcement body has to play an important role in enforcing laws.

Mr Pradeep Dixit, Vice President, Industry Affairs, ITC Ltd said, “Smuggling and Counterfeiting expands black markets and encourages a convergence between organized crime, terrorist groups and other threat networks.” Generating mass awareness amongst the consumers is an important mean to curtail the hazards of growing illicit trade, Mr Dixit added.

Mr Nitin Saluja, Senior Policy Manager, Customer Trust, Amazon India discussed about Amazon’s efforts in mitigating fraud and abuse on marketplaces that hamper customer trust and how Amazon via its various initiatives puts in enormous resources to deliver on its established tenets and to make its marketplace a reliable and safe platform for customers, brands, and sellers to conduct transactions. He stated that Amazon is committed to promoting and participating in the efforts for ensuring that the consumers are empowered to enjoy the benefits of online shopping while being protected from the risks the digital era may present.

Over the years, FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling.