Research and Information System for Developing Countries

RIS is an autonomous non-profit research institution. It is India's contribution to the need of a 'Think-Tank' on global issues in the field of international economic relations and development cooperation. RIS is also mandated to function as an advisory body to the Government of India on matters pertaining to multilateral economic and social issues, including regional and sub-regional cooperation arrangements. RIS functions in close association with various governmental bodies, research institutions, academicians, policy-makers, business and industry circles in India and abroad. RIS has a consultative status with UNCTAD, NAM and WTO has conducted policy research and other activities in collaboration with other agencies, including UN-ESCAP, UNCTAD, UNU, Group of 77, SAARC Secretariat, Asian Development Bank (ADB), The World Bank, and the South Centre.

RIS has been involved in many international/regional studies relating to export/import competitiveness in connection with on-going WTO/Regional/Bilateral negotiations. At present, we have been involved with six international projects. In one of the on-going projects Rajesh Mehta is Indian Team Leader for a project on inter-country and inter-institutional   project on "Food Safety Regulations and Process Food Exports from developing countries. It included the impact of different standards (in EU, US, Aus, Can, Jap, etc.) on India's processed food export. The report also gives policy recommendations for multilateral negotiations and unilateral supply building capacity. Other national and international relevant project experiences include:

• Non-Tariff Barriers Affecting India's Exports, ADB,
• Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers of Indian Economy: A Profile, sponsored by Tariff Commission, Government of India,
• Implications of the WTO Proposals on Indian Paper and Newsprint Industry, sponsored by Government of India,
• International Food Safety Regulation and Processed Food Exports from Developing Countries: An ACIAR funded, comparative study of India and Thailand, a long run research project in collaboration with Australian National University; Melbourne University, Thammasat University.

Click here to view RIS institutional presentation made during the KOM

Principal researchers