How are 'Made in India' and GST reforms driving Diwali sales?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Record-breaking Diwali sales of Rs 6.05 lakh crore.
- GST reforms positively impacted trade.
- Increased consumer confidence in Indian products.
- Majority of sales (80%) comprised Swadeshi goods.
- Focus on supporting small industries for future growth.
New Delhi, Oct 22 (NationPress) Industry leaders from across India have lauded the unprecedented Diwali sales this year, attributing it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Made in India' and the impactful economic reforms implemented recently.
A nationwide survey by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) revealed that this year’s Diwali trade reached an astonishing Rs 6.05 lakh crore, marking the highest sales ever recorded during this festive period.
This remarkable achievement reflects a significant rise in consumer confidence and serves as a robust endorsement for products manufactured in India.
In an interview with IANS, Harvansh Chawla, Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry, expressed, "I had previously indicated that this Diwali would be exceptional. We are witnessing unparalleled sales and enthusiasm within our economy this time. All credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Chawla further mentioned that the 'Made in India' initiative is gaining traction, with its effects expected to be even more apparent in the coming six months to a year.
Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General of PHDCCI, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the positive influence of GST reforms introduced prior to Diwali on trade.
"The Prime Minister has encouraged the public to opt for Swadeshi goods, which has been crucial, especially in the current fragmented global trade landscape. Remarkably, 80 percent of the goods sold were Indian products, which is quite encouraging," he stated in his conversation with IANS.
In Kolkata, Naresh Pachisia, President of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, also recognized the success of the festive period. "The consumer demand we are witnessing now is something we haven’t experienced in quite some time. The reduction in GST on consumption-related goods has played a vital role in this," he noted.
“The gap in sales following the announcement on September 22 created a surge in demand, significantly contributing to this unprecedented Diwali trade,” he added.
Rajeev Juneja, President of PHDCCI, stressed the importance of ongoing support for smaller industries in alignment with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.
"It is our duty to foster connections between small and medium-sized enterprises and government bodies. Our goal is to assist small industries in scaling up by providing comprehensive support," he remarked.