The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat hosted a MSME Conclave on December 20, 2024, which brought together policy makers, key influencers, and more than 150 enterprises to discuss strategies to improve Gujarat’s MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) ecosystem.
In order to align Gujarat’s MSMEs with India’s vision for a Viksit Bharat@2047, the Conclave, which had as its theme “Pathway To Growth: Strengthening MSME Ecosystem,” placed a strong emphasis on improving policy frameworks, competitiveness, investigating financing options, embracing digital transformation, and implementing green practices.
Mr. Bhavik Khera, Convenor of the CII Gujarat MSME and VD Panel and Managing Director of SEE Linkages Pvt Ltd, stated in his welcoming speech, “MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy, playing a crucial role in driving industrial growth, generating employment, and contributing to the GDP. Gujarat’s MSME sector is especially significant since it positions the state as a manufacturing and industrialization leader. Gujarat’s MSMEs are essential to the state’s economic success as it serves as a hub for diverse industries, including textiles, chemicals, engineering, and food processing”.
In addition, Mr. Khera stated, “The conclave brings together key stakeholders – government officials, financial institutions, technology providers, and MSME leaders – to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Through focused discussions, we aim to advance financial accessibility, propel digital transformation, advocate for legislative changes, and empower MSMEs for a sustainable future. In order to promote the MSME ecosystem, we also aim to improve capacity building, skill development, and buyer – seller interactions. CII Gujarat remains committed to supporting the MSME sector through initiatives like policy advocacy, financial literacy workshops, and export-import conclaves, helping businesses thrive in a rapidly changing environment”.
Gujarat Power Corporation LTD.’s Managing Director, Mr. Arun Mahesh Babu, M.S., IAS, Government of Gujarat, in his special address, highlighted the promising future of India’s economy especially in the upcoming 5 years. He highlighted five important industries that are expected to grow significantly: MSMEs, Renewable Energy, IT, Biotechnology, and Semiconductors. Gujarat is well-positioned to benefit from each of these industries. He addressed the urgent needs of MSMEs, such as greater access to financing, the creation of sector-based clusters at the state and federal levels, and focused initiatives to reskill, upskill, and skill individuals, particularly through investment-driven PPP models and vocational training. He emphasized the importance of strengthening business-government relations and the need for new subsidies and incentives tailored to micro-industries. Additionally, he highlighted the energy industry’s immense potential, citing the growing interest in the semiconductor, solar, and renewable energy sectors in particular. Data centers and green hydrogen projects are also emerging as significant opportunities for Gujarati MSMEs. He urged businesses to collaborate with the government and offer input, especially in the fields of offshore wind power and energy storage.
Mr. Babu further underlined the significance of Gujarat’s emphasis on green data centers under the IT/ITEs strategy, as well as the state’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy. He emphasized that MSMEs are essential to attaining this objective and urged everyone to work together to reach the goal of Net Zero by 2070.
The Chairman of the CII Centre of Excellence for Competitiveness for SMEs and the Chairman and Managing Director of Somany Ceramics Ltd., Mr. Shreekant Somany, highlighted Gujarat’s reputation as an entrepreneurial state with significant industrial strength. According to him, one of the key pillars of MSME success is the need for them to “Go Digital, Grow Global.” He emphasized how important the digital revolution has been in transforming Gujarat’s MSMEs into significant players on the global scene. Focusing on IT, advanced manufacturing, and services, he emphasized the need to build capacity through specialized skill programs. Mr. Somany claims that leadership training for MSMEs is crucial to empowering people and, in turn, businesses. In order to stay competitive, he also called for the advancement of energy-efficient technology and a focus on Industry 4.0 solutions.
Mr. Somany noted that although organizational support from governmental organizations and business associations like CII is crucial, technology adoption is what would enable Gujarat’s MSMEs to expand in the global market. MSMEs in Gujarat are already doing well, he said, and they have a lot of potential if they embrace digital transformation. He emphasized that the goal of a “Viksit Bharat” cannot be achieved without a robust MSME sector and urged attention to be directed on long-term goals rather than immediate rewards. “Building a resilient future and empowering lives are the goals of empowering MSMEs.”
Vice Chairman of the CII Gujarat State Council and Founder and MD of KYB Conmat Pvt Ltd., Mr. Premraj Keshyep, underlined in his speech Gujarat’s vital role in developing a self-reliant culture, supply chain resilience, and technological growth. These initiatives align with the broader objective of “Atmanirbhar Bharat.” He emphasized that through capacity building, policy lobbying, and the creation of knowledge-sharing platforms, CII has consistently assisted MSMEs. According to Mr. Keshyep, CII’s initiatives to support Gujarat’s MSMEs are evident in events such as the SMART Manufacturing Conclave, Export-Import Conclaves, MSME Conclave, and seminars on free trade agreements. He went on to say that the topic of the conclave highlights how important it is to create a supportive atmosphere that encourages cooperation, market connections, sustainability, and financial access. He concluded by describing the colloquium as a roadmap that will help MSMEs get over challenges and seize new opportunities both domestically and abroad.
In his speech, Mr. Ajit B. Chavan, Additional CEO and Chief Seller Officer, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s objective of establishing a unified, integrated platform for government procurement. GeM has become a government project success story since its inception in 2016. By addressing critical concerns including funding availability, market accessibility, and handholding support, he emphasized that GeM is committed to assisting startups and Micro, Small Enterprises (MSEs). Openness, efficacy, and inclusivity are GeM’s key values, Mr. Chavan reiterated. The services sector has surpassed traditional manufacturing, he continued, and urged MSMEs to explore the numerous opportunities for diversification in this area.
Mr. Jalay Pandya, Co-Convenor, CII Gujarat MSME & VD Panel, Founding Partner of Faber Infinite Consulting, expressed gratitude to the speakers for their enlightening thoughts in his first session concluding remarks. He emphasized that the session gave a thorough picture of the vast potential within the MSME sector, in addition to stressing the critical steps needed to support MSMEs, such as changing policies, digitizing, and implementing green initiatives. According to Mr. Pandya, these discussions will pave the way for substantial growth and development within the MSME ecosystem.
The conclave also included a panel discussion on “Access To Finance And Credit Insurance“, featuring prominent speakers Mr. Vinod Agrawal, Convenor, CII Gujarat Policy Advocacy & EODB Panel & Chairman & MD, Arunaya Organics Ltd.; Ms. Hirva Mamtora, Managing Director & CEO, India Exim Finserve; Mr. Yash Shah, Founding Member, Transaction Square; and Mr. Saket Kumar, Assistant General Manager & Branch Head, ECGC Ltd. The primary talks focused on overcoming adoption barriers, increasing awareness, and making use of ECGC’s evolving regulations and digital solutions. India Exim Finserve also highlighted its role in providing export-focused financial solutions, assisting MSMEs in overcoming trade finance barriers, and entering new markets.
Another panel session on “Transforming MSMEs: Strategies for Growth and Expansion” that emphasized the need for financial resilience, digital transformation, and innovative strategies to overcome challenges and scale operations in an increasingly competitive global market included the key speakers, Mr. Hemang Maheta, Co-Chairman, Core Group on Trade National MSME Council, CII & President & CEO, Unitrans Power LLP, Prof. Amit Prashant, Chair Professor & Dean of Research and Development, IIT Gandhinagar, Ms. Elizabeth Master, Associate Director, CRISIL, Mr. Chinmay Bhuta, Director, Alps Chemical, and Mr. Keyur Bhalavat, Founder & CEO, Plutomen Technologies Pvt Ltd.
In a session titled “Empowering MSMEs for a Sustainable Future: Embracing Green Practices for Growth and Innovation“, distinguished speakers Mr. Sunil Dave, Co-Convenor, CII Gujarat ITEC Panel & President & MD, BC Instruments Pvt Ltd; Prof. Anil K. Gupta, Founder, Honey Bee Network, SRISTI, GIAN & NIF, Visiting Faculty, IIMA, IITB; Mr. Kamal Jain, Partner Advisory, PWC India; and Dr. Umesh Menon, Sr. International Investment & Finance Expert, UNIDO, discussed the use of green technology and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks. Experts discussed how Gujarati MSMEs may use the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), follow global sustainability trends, and integrate ISO 14000 certification to create a sustainable future.
One of the event’s highlights was the Buyer-Seller Meet, which was led by Mr. Dharmendra Mishra, Group Executive Director, Kataria Group. By interacting with over 55 MSME businesses, well-known corporations like Atul Auto, Adani Group, Maruti Suzuki, Sintex, and UNO Minda were able to establish mutually beneficial commercial partnerships and joint venture prospects.
Over 150 MSME companies attended the conclave, which also helped to advance commercial possibilities and collaboration by facilitating a successful buyer-seller meet between 55 MSMEs and 5 large companies. The gathering helped Gujarat’s MSMEs align with India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision by offering insightful information on financing, digital transformation, and green practices.
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