Overwhelming response from aspiring entrepreneurs to Orientation Workshop on MSME Support & Outreach Campaign for Industries, Nagpur,

A series of events began at VIA by organizing an Orientation Workshop on MSME Support & Outreach Campaign for Industries, Nagpur today at VIA Auditorium, for ‘aspiring entrepreneurs’ in the food sector. The workshop was organized by Joint Coordination Committee comprising of Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA), MIDC Industries Association (MIA), Butibori Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI -Vidarbha Chapter).

Atul Pande, President – VIA in his welcome address said a series of events being organized by Joint Coordination Committee comprising of VIA, MIA, BMA and DICCI -Vidarbha Chapter at different places at Nagpur. He said Honorable Prime Minister launched a support and outreach programme for development of MSME sector. He also informed about challenges being faced by MSMEs and this outreach program will monitor the deliverables during 100 days campaign i.e. Ease and Access to Credit, Ease of Cash Flow; Market i.e. No. of MSMEs brought on GeM Platform; No. of MSMEs linked to e-Commerce Platforms & Quantum of Procurement from MSMEs through Sambandh; Employee/Social Security Benefits; Quality Certifications and Sectoral Ministry Interventions.

Nishchay Shelke, Head Western Region, DICCI said this workshop was organized to encourage entrepreneurs to setup Food Processing units (MSMEs) and it is being regarded as a Sunrise sector as there will always be a need at the industry. He also gave presentation on Schemes of MoFPI for food processing sector. He said Nagpur has been chosen as a priority district under the scheme to be developed as an Agro and Food Processing Hub under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). The proposed MoFPI action plan on this initiative includes among other objectives of the campaign, creating awareness and promoting investment through various MoFPI schemes.

Expert Faculties from different parts of the country gave presentation, that included presentation on MSME Samadhan & Clusters Promotion by Ashok Dharmadhikari, Jt Director of Industries, Nagpur; Presentation on Opportunities, challenges and remedial measures in food processing sector for MSMEs by Sudhanshu Bohra, PwC, Mumbai. He said with special focus on Maharashtra Employment Mission (MEM). He said Project “Nagarik” is a citizen centric platform for grassroots enterprise development and employment creation. We focus on developing transformative solutions in 4 districts of Vidarbha over a 5 year horizon. Panel Discussion on Project Report Writing for Schemes & Loans by eminent panelists – Vijay Somkuwar, DICCI, Nagpur and  CA Samir Bakre; Panel Discussion on Public Procurement Policy in MSMEs & Innovation through Startup India by panelists – Sunil Khujnare, MSME DI, Nagpur and  Jayesh Bagde, Nagpur Startups; Presentation on Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) & PSI by Gajendra O Bharati, GM, DIC, Nagpur; Presentation on Bankers role in supporting MSMEs by Pramod Agrawal, AGM-SME,  Bank of  India, Mumbai and Suhas Bandre, Officer – Social Security, BoI; Panel Discussion on Regulatory Framework by panelists – Neha Aggarwal, Dy Director, CII, New Delhi and Nisha Kanbargi, Scientist C, BIS, Mumbai. They explained the major functions of BIS, technical division councils; types of certification i.e. Voluntary Certification Products; Mandatory Certification Products, under this category cannot be sold in the market without BIS license and ISI mark i.e. Health; Safety and Mass Consumption. Mandatory Items required for registering for BIS. Examples of BIS Certified (ISI marked) Products; Presentation on Services of MCED for New Entrepreneurs by Hemant Waghmare, Project Manager – MCED.

Arun Khobragade, Chairman – VIA Food Processing Forum vertical made a presentation on “Food Show India” being organized by VIA on 16-18 January 2019 at MIHAN. This event is organized with sole objective of exposing food processing sector of the region to latest products, technologies, machineries, while the event is expected to attract participation from not only Pan India but also from SAARC Nations.

Earlier, Abhijeet Khandagale, Nodal Officer, Govt. of India welcomed all the guest speakers with floral bouquets and in his opening remarks informed objective of organizing this orientation workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs in Agro and Food Processing sector.

The Prabhari Officer for Nagpur, V Radha (IAS), Jt Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation expressed her compliments for joint efforts by all Associations, Banks and Government Departments in making the event a grand success. There will be larger focus towards developing Nagpur’s MSME ecosystem through sustained efforts by local authorities. Gopal Wasnik, President – DICCI (Vidarbha Chapter) proposed a vote of thanks.

Workshop got overwhelming response from prospective entrepreneurs, members of the Associations, industrialists, and took advantage of the Government Schemes.