MCCI MSME International Conference 2024
“Empowering MSMEs for Sustainable Development”
World MSME Day, 27th June 2024
“MCCI goes Global, discusses development of Business Potential of MSMEs amongst the neighbouring countries
Press Release
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry, supported by Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India organised MCCI MSME International Conference 2024, titled “Empowering MSMEs for Sustainable Development” to mark the occasion on World MSME Day on 27 June 2024 at The Spring Club, Kolkata.
The Conference held to celebrate the World MSME Day, brought together industry experts, policymakers and MSME stakeholders, in India and the neighbouring countries, in manufacturing and services sector to deliberate on strategies for empowering the MSMEs and accelerating their growth.
The Conference focused on ways and means of how to take this initiative global and discussed development of business potential of MSMEs across the neighbouring states of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The important take ways were international collaboration in terms of
a. MSME Financing
b. Marketing & Networking for MSMEs and
c. Technical Collaboration for MSMEs
The Conference was addressed by Mr. Sudatta Mandal, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI as Guest of Honour. International Resource Persons & Keynote Speakers in the Conference were Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Founder President, India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Former President, FBCCI and Chairman, Niloy Nitol Group; Mr. Keerthi Gunawardane, President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka and MD & CEO, Graphic Systems (P) Ltd. and Mr. Hem Raj Dhakal, Vice President, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Chairman, Heritage Group.
Mr. Sudatta Mandal, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI in his address said that In slightly over two decades, India grew at an average rate of 6%, despite a global pandemic and global economic crisis, to rise from the 13th position in 2000-01 to become the 5th largest economy in the world. MSMEs contribute significantly to the country’s growth, accounting for 45.03% of the nation’s exports (as of December 2023) and 30% of the GDP (FY 2022-2023).
Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Founder President, IBCCI said that Bangladesh would adopt MCCI MSME Help Desk and discussed about organising MSME programmes in Bangladesh for development of the MSME sector. He mentioned about opening of ports in North East Region, which would help Bangladesh to connect more with India.
Mr. Keerthi Gunawardane, President, FCCISL said that address said that In India alone, MSMEs employ approximately 11 crore people, providing livelihoods and economic security to millions of families in Sri Lanka 2.5 million people.
Mr. Hem Raj Dhakal, Vice President, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Chairman, Heritage Group in his deliberation invited MCCI to associate Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry for the betterment of MSMEs in Nepal.
Mr. Rishabh C. Kothari, Immediate Past President, MCCI in his Welcome Address said that the MSME sector in India comprises of around 65 million units contributing 30% to GDP of India. On this World MSME Day, MCCI is reaching out to all to create a sustainable ecosystem to enable the MSMEs to thrive.
Mr. Sanjib Kumar Kothari, Chairman, MSME Council of MCCI in his Theme Address said that the vision to a have a ‘Viksit Bharat’ would rely heavily on the millions of MSMEs spread across the country. MSMEs play a crucial role in India’s economic development, employing over 110 million people across 63 million businesses and contributing nearly 33% of the country’s GDP.
The Technical Session on “MSME Exports & MSME Funding” was addressed by Mr. Gautam Podder, IEDS, Asstt. Director, MSME DFO Kolkata – Convenor; Mr. Amit Kumar, Joint DGFT, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Kolkata and Mr. B D Agarwal, Regional Chairman, Engineering Export Promotion Council and Ms. Nidhi Bothra, Regional Head, ICICI Bank Ltd.
The Conference concluded with hearty Vote of Thanks, proposed by Mr. Akhil Sonthalia, Co-Chairman, MSME Council of MCCI.
