UNCTAD cooperates closely with civil society to increase awareness of the benefits of competition policy for consumers and for economic development in general. In this respect, CUTS and UNCTAD have a long history of collaboration on creating a competition culture in the developing world. It is, thus, a pleasure for me to commend the long term efforts undertaken in this field by CUTS.

I congratulate my colleagues at CUTS for high quality analysis and publications for their exemplary work in social field, trade and economics and openness to disclosure with all sectors of society in India and abroad.

The Consumer Unity & Trust Society, based in Jaipur, has been in the forefront of efforts by means of well-documented studies and purposefully organised workshops to evolve policies and measures bearing on the process of liberalisation, demands of competitive environment and consequences of globalisation, with consumer interests as its primary focus. With its constructive spirit, it has been able to forge fruitful relations with official agencies, corporate enterprises and other players and stakeholders, and establish productive links with kindred organisations abroad. One of the most notable contributions it has made is to prepare, based on a series of seminars, a set of recommendations for ensuring the autonomy, credibility, effectiveness and accountability of regulatory bodies, particularly in the infrastructure sector so vital for faster economic growth.

We very much value our partnership with CUTS, and the close and regular contact you maintain with us. I am aware, for example, that staff in International Trade Department recently participated in your excellent conference on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Aid for Trade in Nairobi.

I truly believe that this organisation will be helpful in making the society more aware by publishing articles and views of experts and dynamic writers on various issues. This will help in finding solutions of various problems pertaining to the common man, eradication of poverty and corruption, good administration, etc. On the part of my government, I will extend full support.

CUTS has contributed a great deal towards strengthening the democratic processes and structures of our country by enhancing people’s involvement and voice in determining their future, on the one hand, and by promoting debate and discussion on government policies and programmes, on the other.

CUTS, a leading nongovernmental organisation in Jaipur, has long experience of over 25 years of working on economic policy issues. In this area they have also achieved considerable reputation nationally and globally.

CUTS emerged from Gram Gadar, when they found many of our rural folk complaining about consumer abuses, such as burning out of electric motors due to voltage fluctuations; short weighing at fair price shops etc. CUTS is working vividly on these issues, in as much as they remain consistently engaged on grassroot issues. This linkage is one of the greatest strength of CUTS.

CUTS has now become an internationally recognised NGO speaking for the interests of consumers in developing countries. It has further expanded its horizon by conducting studies and capacity building programmes in African countries with the establishment of the Africa Resource Centre in 2001, a milestone in CUTS’ history as it serves to strengthen and facilitate cooperation among developing countries.

The Monopolies and Prices Commission (MPC) of Kenya acknowledges the significant contribution of CUTS in fostering competition culture in Kenya through its advocacy, training and networking activities. CUTS has assisted the Commission and its staff by regularly providing competition-related literature which has helped its staff in building their capacity.

My first interaction with CUTS dates back to 1996, at the time of the UNCTAD IX, which was being held at Midrand, South Africa. I was invited to deliver the Raul Prebisch lecture. Pradeep Mehta asked me an interesting question from the audience. I followed up with a conversation during the coffee break and discovered in him an immensely engaging and dedicated NGO leader who was not simply an “activist” but a thoughtful person. Little did I know then that I would wind up working with him on CUTS’ activities. Read Full Testimonial

It gives me a great pleasure to note that CUTS is celebrating its Silver Jubilee. 25 years is a long time. The world – and India – have changed dramatically since the time CUTS was established. What is noteworthy is the journey of CUTS from an activist organisation working for the welfare of Indian consumers, to a think-tank advocating for global welfare through its work on trade and regulatory issues. It has, in fact, strengthened the link between grasstroots concerns and international policy-making arena. Read Full Testimonial

I was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in March for a conference to discuss the findings of a research project on the environment for competition in Africa. It was organised by Consumer Unity &Trust Society of Jaipur, a consumer activist and research organisation, perhaps the only Indian non-governmental organisation with offices in Nairobi and Lusaka, collaborative African research institutions and a substantial information base about laws and practices in competition. Also engaged in research, advocacy and consulting, CUTS had local research teams in many African countries to study competition law, policy and regulation.

Congratulations on the launch of a series of training programmes for the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. This time trade capacity building is in action.

I have been seeing a variety of CUTS. publications, especially the one which is in the form of a wall newspaper called the .Gram Gadar., which has been helping our rural folk in a big way by its regular columns, such as on women’s rights. CUTS has rapidly diversified its work areas and the need of the future is that it should set goals according to the needs of a common man, maintaining its identity.

Despite the enormity and gravity of the deep rooted problems existing in rural areas, efforts are being made to empower weaker sections, through a process of education, training, networking, and building up grassroots and community action groups. And therefore there is hope. I witnessed at close range, through CUTS Centre for Human Development, the extraordinary spirit and relentless efforts by the team at Chittorgarh and got ample evidence of the fruit of that labour. It was tremendous – the progress and the achievements made with children in these backward areas was indeed phenomenal.

India needs more groups such as CUTS and that is the challenge for CUTS to replicate and multiply all over the country. CUTS is a professionally managed and organised group and government can usefully utilise their talents and skills in the cause of the consumer.

CUTS is the first NGO to have stepped out of its boundaries to work in a poor country in Africa to extend its knowledge and experience on economic policy issues as an ‘appropriate technology’. The Zambia Competition Commission (ZCC) has benefited from its association with CUTS, which began in 2000; and has commended CUTS for providing assistance to other developing countries in Africa and Asia on the subject of competition policy and law.