Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, industry-led, and industry-managed organization that works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India. CII is a prominent business association in India, engaging closely with the government on policy issues and interfacing with thought leaders to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and business opportunities for Indian industries.

History

CII was founded in 1895 as the Engineering and Iron Trades Association (EITA). In 1974, it merged with the Industrial and Commercial Association and the Industrial Development Services Association to form the Association of Indian Engineering Industry (AIEI). In 1986, the AIEI was renamed the Confederation of Engineering Industry (CEI), and finally, in 1992, it was renamed the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to reflect its broader scope and activities.

Membership

CII has a direct membership of over 9,000 organizations from the private and public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 300,000 enterprises from 294 national and regional sectoral industry bodies. The membership spans across various sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, services, agriculture, and education.

Organizational Structure

CII is headquartered in New Delhi and has a network of 66 offices across India and 10 overseas offices. The organization is led by a President, who is elected annually from among the members. The President is supported by a Director-General and a team of professionals who manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.

CII has several national and regional councils, committees, and task forces that focus on specific areas of interest, such as agriculture, education, energy, environment, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, and services.

Key Initiatives

• Policy Advocacy: CII works closely with the government to shape policies that promote economic growth, create jobs, and enhance the competitiveness of Indian industries. The organization provides inputs and recommendations on various policy issues, such as taxation, labor laws, infrastructure development, and foreign trade.
• Skill Development: CII has established several skill development initiatives to bridge the gap between industry requirements and the available talent pool. These initiatives include the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, the CII-Naoroji Godrej Centre of Manufacturing Excellence, and the CII-Triveni Water Institute.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: CII promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through various initiatives, such as the CII Startupreneurs Awards, the CII Industrial Innovation Awards, and the CII-Tata Communications Centre for Digital Transformation.
• International Engagement: CII works to promote India’s trade and investment interests globally through its network of overseas offices and partnerships with international organizations. The organization organizes trade delegations, business summits, and exhibitions to facilitate business-to-business interactions and promote Indian exports.
• Corporate Social Responsibility: CII encourages its members to adopt sustainable and responsible business practices through initiatives such as the CII-ITC Sustainability Awards, the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, and the CII Foundation, which focuses on education, health, and women’s empowerment.

Annual Flagship Events

• CII Partnership Summit: An annual event that brings together global leaders, policymakers, and business executives to discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the Indian economy.
• CII Brand Summit: A platform for branding professionals to share insights, network, and explore collaborations.
• CII CEO Delegation: An annual delegation of Indian CEOs that visits key international markets to promote trade and investment opportunities.
• CII Industry 4.0 Summit: An event focused on the digital transformation of Indian industries and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plays a crucial role in promoting the growth and competitiveness of Indian industries through policy advocacy, skill development, innovation, international engagement, and corporate social responsibility. As a leading business association in India, CII continues to work towards creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to the country’s economic development.