The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a premier business organization in India that plays a key role in the development and growth trajectory of the country. Set up in 1895, CII acts as a catalyst in nation building through the development of Indian Industry and facilitates a collaborative and conducive environment.
CII’s central mantra is partnership with diverse stakeholders, including Government, industry, civil society, academia and the citizen at large. Through its various initiatives, CII enables inclusive development by addressing diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, livelihood, skill development, women empowerment, water, among others.
CII presently has around 9,000 members from both private and public sectors including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of around 300,000 enterprises.
Today, with a network of 65 offices in India, 11 overseas offices and institutional partnerships with 355 counterpart organizations in 126 countries, CII serves as the nodal point of reference for Industry and the international business community.
CII’s service portfolio comprises of the four main pillars of policy advocacy, providing competitive solutions while nurturing competitiveness, international and business development services, and connecting with society.
In its policy advocacy work, CII proactively engages with the Government towards policy formulation for industry, represents members’ concerns with the Government, organizes sessions on policy and procedural issues and hosts investment summits both nationally and internationally.
CII’s committees composed of industry members and other stakeholders work as ‘Think Tanks’ on important policy matters, making recommendations and regularly preparing research reports and publications.
The areas addressed through these platforms include agriculture and rural development, manufacturing, MSME, infrastructure, technology, among others.
CII has set up dedicated institutes or CII Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for focusing on competitiveness through training, consulting and research. Currently, there are nine CoEs, namely, CII Institute of Quality, CII Green Business Centre, CII Centre of Manufacturing Excellence, CII Institute of Logistics, CII Centre of Competitiveness for SMEs, CII Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, CII Centre of Leadership, CII Food and Agricultural Centre of Excellence and CII Water Institute.
The CoE’s provide special services to industry across areas such as quality management, energy efficiency, water management, etc. These enable firms to lower costs and become more productive.
CII’s objective in its international work is to connect Indian Industry with multiple stakeholders across the globe while also highlighting India’s position as a stable and dependent partner. CII’s international work constitutes of working closely with the Indian Government for creating policies conducive to the trade and development procedures in India, identifying best practices and creating access to foreign markets.
CII also organizes numerous national and international trade fairs, inward and outward trade and business missions, major conferences and seminars, as well as international and national buyers and sellers meets. These provide opportunities for enterprises to expand their business.
In addition, CII does extensive work to assist enterprises to build up technology infusion, innovation, and R&D, including by linking them to academia and supporting doctoral students.
CIIs international activities include facilitating technology transfers, creating B2B and B2G platforms, showcasing India’s potential through various international trade fairs etc.
CII undertakes a series of focused interventions to ensure the inclusive and social development of economically and socially challenged groups through corporate engagement.
For bettering the lives of citizens, CII’s long standing work in the social sector was formalized through the establishment of the CII Foundation in 2011. The Foundation provides a meaningful bridge between marginalized communities and donors, specially the corporate sector.
The core areas of intervention include CSR and ethical conduct, public health, skill development, affirmative action, women empowerment, people with disabilities and disaster management.
With the objective of all round development of the nation, CII is also actively involved in providing platforms for groups from different walks of life such as students and budding entrepreneurs through several initiativessuch as Young Indians, Indian Women Network etc.
Since 1895, economic growth in India has witnessed many troughs and peaks while Indian Industry has evolved and transformed in a big way through these years. CII has played a critical role in this evolution and will continue to lend its support in linking society and industry and building India through partnership.