The Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM) organised a National Traders’ Conference and Bhamashah Felicitation Ceremony at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, to mark its 45th Foundation Day. The event brought together around 1,000 trader representatives from 24 states and two Union Territories, highlighting the unity and national coordination of India’s trading community.
The programme was presided over by BUVM National President Shri Babulal Gupta of Rajasthan and conducted by National Senior General Secretary Shri Mukund Mishra of Uttar Pradesh.
Union Minister for Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal attended the conference as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he said that promoting trade and business would be essential to achieving the vision of a developed India. He emphasised the need to accelerate trade and commerce to expand the size of the Indian economy.
Meghwal also assured traders that the government would take necessary steps to address their concerns relating to GST, online trade and other issues affecting the business community.
Durg Lok Sabha MP Shri Vijay Baghel, Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Sadhna Singh, former MP and Senior Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh Udyog Vyapar Mandal Shri Bhairav Prasad Mishra, along with several public representatives and senior trade leaders, attended the event.
BUVM Calls for Greater Focus on Local Trade
A key proposal discussed at the conference was to increase the target for promoting local products, local trade and local tourism from 500 to 1,000 districts. The initiative is aimed at advancing the vision of ‘Local for Global’ by strengthening district-level economic activity and connecting traditional skills and village-based crafts with wider domestic and international markets.
National President Shri Babulal Gupta said that greater emphasis on local production, trade and tourism could generate employment, strengthen district economies and provide traditional businesses and artisans with opportunities to access global markets.
Traders Raise E-Commerce and Regulatory Concerns
The conference also focused on several challenges facing small and traditional traders. Participants called for a clear and effective regulatory framework for online trade and measures to protect small businesses from unequal competition arising from e-commerce platforms and mall culture.
Other priorities included strengthening MSMEs, promoting the concept of “Investment in the District, for the District”, and establishing trader assistance groups in every district.
The traders also raised several taxation and regulatory demands, including One Nation–One Mandi Tax, limiting mandi cess to 0.50 per cent, an amnesty scheme for GST and old VAT cases, relief from GST on rented shops and houses, lower interest on delayed GST payments and simplification of FSSAI regulations.
The organisation said detailed proposals covering these demands would be submitted to the Central Government.
Remembering BUVM Founder Shyam Bihari Mishra
During the programme, speakers remembered late Shri Shyam Bihari Mishra, founder of the Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal and a four-time Member of Parliament who played a prominent role in the traders’ movement.
Speakers noted that the organisation, which began its journey nearly 45 years ago with the objective of building trader unity and protecting traders’ interests, has evolved into a national platform representing the trading community. Its state, district and city-level units continue to work towards strengthening the interests of traders across the country.
Shri Babulal Gupta congratulated the organisation’s state units for conducting traders’ conferences and training programmes across India. He said BUVM had emerged as a strong national voice for traders from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
He also congratulated the Delhi Pradesh team for organising the event and expressed appreciation to the Federation of All India Food Grain Dealers Association for supporting the programme as a partner organisation.
‘Local to Global National Trade Conference’ in 2027
Concluding the programme, Shri Babulal Gupta announced that the organisation would hold a “Local to Global National Trade Conference” at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in January 2027.
The upcoming conference is expected to focus on strengthening youth entrepreneurship, local trade, local production and local tourism, while promoting the “One City–One Product” initiative.
The announcement underlined BUVM’s continued focus on strengthening India’s trading ecosystem and creating stronger links between local businesses, entrepreneurship and national economic development.
