Latest news with #ETMakeinIndiaSMERegionalSummit
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Entrepreneurial spirit lights up Surat at ET Make in India SME Summit
Resilience, entrepreneurial drive, and innovation stood out in good measure at the second ET Make in India SME Regional Summit of this year in Surat . The city's potential as a hub offering the next wave of opportunities in diamonds, textiles , and chemicals was highlighted in the discussions with a cross-section of industry stakeholders in the city. The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit is a series of 20 nationwide on-ground events to bring together micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ( MSMEs ), policymakers, enablers and key industry professionals. The summit series aims to unravel emerging opportunities, address critical challenges, and promote meaningful knowledge-sharing and networking to unlock growth for the MSME sector. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Project Management MBA Others Data Science CXO others Design Thinking Leadership Healthcare Operations Management Artificial Intelligence Management Finance Technology Data Analytics Digital Marketing Degree Public Policy Product Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details The event, held on July 18, began with an insightful keynote address by J.B. Dave, General Manager, District Industries Centre, who spoke on how MSMEs can be empowered. "We need to do more for MSMEs in Surat despite being the second-largest i n terms of MSME registrations in the country," he said while discussing the strategy for a vibrant and resilient Surat. "For becoming an export-centric market, we need to focus on quality," he emphasised. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Also Read: ET Make in India SME Regional Summit to debut in Nagpur, the 'Orange City', on July 24 This was followed by an interesting fireside chat with Nagaraj Garla , Executive Director, IDBI Bank , on the topic 'Catalysing Make in India Growth: IDBI Bank's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs.' Live Events Garla spoke about several issues pertaining to the financial constraints of the sector. "Effective cash flow management remains the single most important factor distinguishing a successful MSME from a failed one," he said. ET Online Nagaraj Garla, Executive Director, IDBI Bank spoke about several issues pertaining to the financial constraints of the sector. He emphasised the various initiatives implemented by the bank to facilitate cash flow for MSMEs, underscoring the significant role technology has played in achieving this goal. "In March, we introduced an AI-ML-based credit system that decides if the money has to be disbursed or not in 15-20 minutes." Following that, Raj Tiwari, Senior Sales Manager, Canon India , delivered a presentation titled 'Making Business Simple with Canon.' Tiwari offered numerous insights on new technologies that showcase added layers of security in printing. This, he stated, could be of immense help to the entrepreneurs looking to create a differentiation for their businesses. Thereafter, local industry leaders and association heads got together to participate in an engaging session of the day—a panel discussion on how Surat's MSMEs can lead India's next wave of industrial innovation. Reflecting on the tariff developments, Ashish Gujarati, Managing Director, Aditya Textile Solutions, said that they are expecting 5-10% tariffs on the textile sector. "Most of the challenges come from QCOs and raw material availability," he stated. ET Online Local industry leaders and association heads got together to participate in an engaging session of the day—a panel discussion on how MSMEs in Surat can lead India's next wave of industrial innovation. Highlighting the advantages offered by Surat as a textile hub, Gujarati said that Surat's main advantage is that the entire textile ecosystem is within a radius of 45 km. Moving on to Surat's legacy as a diamond hub, Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman of GJEPC India, said that Surat has unique strengths with which it can mould itself as per the market situation. "Surat has this distinct advantage: if there are threats to its diamond polishing and cutting business, then it can capitalise on its lab-grown diamond segment," he said while talking about the emerging opportunity in this new segment. Answering a question regarding the prominence of gemstone manufacturing in China, Savaliya noted that the gemstone industry holds a lot of potential in India, especially in Surat. "We still have miles to go," he said, candid in his admission. The panel discussion then moved on to the importance of schemes for the MSME sector. Bikash Chandra Naik, Zonal Head, National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC), said that they offer a number of schemes to handhold small businesses. "Micro and small businesses need a lot of handholding; they don't go to banks directly. Therefore, we have many collaborations with banks, and we help these businesses to get loans," he said. Naik also spoke about how people in rural areas lack the required skills, and NSIC helps in getting more skilled professionals into the industry. "NSIC has projects at various levels and also programmes that help them train in different skills," he added. Affirming his views, Prashant Patel, former President of FISME and Director of RK Synthesis Ltd, highlighted some big challenges faced by MSMEs in Surat. These challenges include land availability due to high land costs, a shortage of skilled manpower, the high cost of R&D equipment, and inadequate common infrastructure. Patel also spoke of the importance of R&D investment for enterprises to carve a niche for themselves in the long run. The panel was followed by a fireside chat with Nikhil Garg, Founder President of the Agarwal Business Network. Garg stated that Surat is known for adapting fast to changes. "The growth of the knitting industry here is remarkable. In India, if there is any other city that can challenge China, it's Surat," he said, adding that the power of communities can help to bring the MSME ecosystem together and go forward in their journey as small businesses. ET Online Nikhil Garg, Founder President of the Agarwal Business Network stated that Surat is known for adapting fast to changes. The final session of the evening was a presentation by C.S. Arya, General Manager, IDBI Bank, and Sherine Mendez, General Manager, IDBI Bank, highlighting the organisation's initiatives, outreach, and tools that empower MSMEs. This concluded the second summit in the ET SME summit series of this year in Surat, showcasing how MSMEs can leverage their strengths and counter the challenges in their path in an effective manner. The summit served as a key platform for bringing industry experts together and offering networking opportunities to a host of small businesses in the city. The event sponsors were IDBI Bank as Banking & Lending Partner and Canon as Tech Enabler. The series now heads to Nagpur on 24 July 2025 for another round of conversations, discussions and learning in the ET SME Make In India pan India series.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Make in India SME Regional Summit to debut in Nagpur, the ‘Orange City', on July 24
The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit will be held for the first time in Nagpur on July 24, 2025. The city's central location positions it as an ideal hub for MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), especially for those engaged in manufacturing, services, and agriculture-based industries. Nagpur, also known as the Orange City, has seen the development of various clusters, such as the Nagpur Dall Millers Cluster Pvt Ltd, which comprises 100 small-sized enterprises working together to promote growth, quality, and food security. The city also boasts industrial parks and dedicated MSME clusters, showcasing a well-developed industrial infrastructure that fosters a conducive environment for the growth of MSMEs. Register here for Nagpur summit by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hate Unclear Trade Tips? You're Not Alone Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo As per the open data government platform, the number of Udyam-registered MSMEs in Nagpur district is 268,599, with 264,548 micro, 3,708 small, and 343 medium enterprises. The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit in Nagpur will begin with a keynote address on the topic 'Opportunities in Orange City: Vision for MSME-led growth in Nagpur and beyond.' This will be delivered by Shivkumar Muddamwar, GM DIC, Nagpur. Live Events There will be a special address by Manohar Pote, Regional Head-Nagpur region, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). This will be followed by an exclusive fireside chat with Nagaraj Garla, Executive Director, IDBI Bank , on the topic 'Catalysing 'Make in India' Growth: IDBI Bank 's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs.' Following this, experts and industry leaders will come together for an engaging panel discussion titled 'Unlocking Vidarbha's potential: Building a stronger MSME ecosystem in central India.' Present at the panel will be Prashant Mohta, Managing Director, Gimatex Industries (Textiles) & President, Vidarbha Industries Association; Julfesh Shah, Chairman, Chamber of Small Industry Associations (COSIA), Vidarbha chapter; and Prashant Waghmere, Deputy General Manager (DGM) and Regional Head, at Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The SME summit will also serve as a platform providing networking opportunities to local small businesses and industry leaders. They can engage, connect, and have an open dialogue. This endeavour will be conducted under the theme of 'Empowering MSMEs: Driving India's Century of Sustainable Growth,' to champion, acknowledge, and fortify the Indian MSME sector. It will be conducted by with IDBI Bank as the Banking & Lending Partner and Canon as the Tech Enabler. Each summit will comprise a diverse array of discussions and sessions, including panel discussions, masterclasses, and showcases of MSME solutions. This is the third annual edition of the ET Make in India Regional Summit series. In this edition, 20 cities will be covered, including Thane, Nagpur, Dehradun, and Noida. In the inaugural year, the programme covered Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The ET MSME Awards, India's most coveted awards programme celebrating the achievements of the MSME sector, is back with its sixth edition. Register here to be recognised as India's top MSME. Register here for Nagpur summit
Economic Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
ET Make in India SME Regional Summit to debut in Nagpur, the ‘Orange City', on July 24
ET Online The city also boasts industrial parks and dedicated MSME clusters, showcasing a well-developed industrial infrastructure that fosters a conducive environment for the growth of MSMEs. The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit will be held for the first time in Nagpur on July 24, 2025. The city's central location positions it as an ideal hub for MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), especially for those engaged in manufacturing, services, and agriculture-based also known as the Orange City, has seen the development of various clusters, such as the Nagpur Dall Millers Cluster Pvt Ltd, which comprises 100 small-sized enterprises working together to promote growth, quality, and food security. The city also boasts industrial parks and dedicated MSME clusters, showcasing a well-developed industrial infrastructure that fosters a conducive environment for the growth of MSMEs. Register here for Nagpur summit As per the open data government platform, the number of Udyam-registered MSMEs in Nagpur district is 268,599, with 264,548 micro, 3,708 small, and 343 medium ET Make in India SME Regional Summit in Nagpur will begin with a keynote address on the topic 'Opportunities in Orange City: Vision for MSME-led growth in Nagpur and beyond.' This will be delivered by Shivkumar Muddamwar, GM DIC, Nagpur. There will be a special address by Manohar Pote, Regional Head-Nagpur region, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). This will be followed by an exclusive fireside chat with Nagaraj Garla, Executive Director, IDBI Bank, on the topic 'Catalysing 'Make in India' Growth: IDBI Bank's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs.' Following this, experts and industry leaders will come together for an engaging panel discussion titled 'Unlocking Vidarbha's potential: Building a stronger MSME ecosystem in central India.' Present at the panel will be Prashant Mohta, Managing Director, Gimatex Industries (Textiles) & President, Vidarbha Industries Association; Julfesh Shah, Chairman, Chamber of Small Industry Associations (COSIA), Vidarbha chapter; and Prashant Waghmere, Deputy General Manager (DGM) and Regional Head, at Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).The SME summit will also serve as a platform providing networking opportunities to local small businesses and industry leaders. They can engage, connect, and have an open dialogue. This endeavour will be conducted under the theme of 'Empowering MSMEs: Driving India's Century of Sustainable Growth,' to champion, acknowledge, and fortify the Indian MSME sector. It will be conducted by with IDBI Bank as the Banking & Lending Partner and Canon as the Tech Enabler. Each summit will comprise a diverse array of discussions and sessions, including panel discussions, masterclasses, and showcases of MSME solutions. This is the third annual edition of the ET Make in India Regional Summit series. In this edition, 20 cities will be covered, including Thane, Nagpur, Dehradun, and Noida. In the inaugural year, the programme covered Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The ET MSME Awards, India's most coveted awards programme celebrating the achievements of the MSME sector, is back with its sixth edition. Register here to be recognised as India's top MSME. Register here for Nagpur summit
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Make in India SME Regional Summits: This bank is revolutionising MSME financing
Live Events On June 26, the ET Make in India SME Regional Summits made their fourth pitstop of 2025 in Thane. The Summits are India's premier platform for connecting with the country's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at a hyperlocal level, bringing together enterprises, enablers, industry heavyweights, and policymakers. The outcome is targeted networking opportunities that recognise the unique strengths and challenges of industrial the theme 'Thane means business: Manufacturing excellence, entrepreneurial drive', this leg of the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit focussed on one of India's most strategically-positioned clusters. Thane benefits from its proximity to Mumbai, ports, airports, and the financial institutions that are crucial for MSME growth and export competitiveness. It also has a multi-sectoral industrial base spanning pharmaceutical, chemical, and engineering companies. According to data from the Udyam portal, this district is home to over 161,000 registered MSMEsIn the illuminating fireside chat, 'Catalysing 'Make in India' Growth: IDBI Bank's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs', the bank's Executive Director Nagaraj Garla spoke about what his institution is trying to do differently in the MSME Bank brings something unique to MSME financing: a dual legacy that most banks don't have. With roots in development finance and a sharp focus on MSMEs, the bank isn't just lending money; it's channelling decades of understanding about what makes small businesses tick."MSMEs form the economic backbone of our country. Which is why we provide an environment of opportunities for them," Garla told the assembled bank's development finance heritage means it understands that MSMEs aren't just smaller versions of large corporations. They have different needs, challenges, and cash flow patterns. This understanding is translating into solutions that actually work for small added that IDBI Bank isn't just digitising existing processes, but reimagining what banking can look like for MSMEs. Take its collection and payments mechanism, for instance.'We have a sophisticated collection mechanism, where you virtually need not maintain any accounts registered," he said. This system captures all cash flows, tracks payments, and even sends automated SMS reminders to fee about what this means for a micro enterprise. Instead of maintaining complex records and chasing payments manually, the system handles everything automatically. The entrepreneur gets detailed Management Information System reports without the administrative headache. It's banking that adapts to the business, not the other way many banks talk about AI as a buzzword, IDBI Bank is using it to solve real problems. Its data analytics tools anticipate customer needs. As Garla revealed, "We use AI analytics tools to understand the behaviour of the customer.'This isn't about pushing more products, but about approaching customers before they even realise they need financing. The system analyses patterns, identifies growth opportunities, and proactively offers solutions. It's like having a financial advisor who never importantly, IDBI Bank recognises that MSMEs need more than just money. It runs training programmes for micro-entrepreneurs, offering everything from three-day bootcamps to week-long courses. IDBI has also partnered with the Entrepreneur Development Institute of India, where they're a major shareholder, supporting programmes that include startup is banking as ecosystem building: not just providing capital, but creating the infrastructure for small business Garla also spoke about IDBI Bank's dedicated MSME teams. These aren't generalist bankers trying to understand local business challenges, but specialists who speak the language of MSMEs, understand their seasonal patterns, and know how to structure solutions that actually work."If you have a separate team such as this, they will also know how to properly manage currency risks when it comes to exports," he economic transformation is more about mindset than it is about technology or processes. IDBI Bank's approach to MSMEs is a reflection of this, Garla concluded at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit- Thane. Its approach offers a glimpse of what banking could look like when it truly serves the small business community. It's not just about lending money, but about building the financial infrastructure that helps MSMEs thrive.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Make in India SME Regional Summits: This insurer is the safety net every MSME needs
Live Events The ET Make in India SME Regional Summits reached their fourth destination this year in Thane, on June 26. As India's leading forum for engaging with the nation's MSMEs at the local level, the Summits create connections between businesses, facilitators, major industry players, and government officials, resulting in focused networking that addresses the specific needs of different industrial the banner 'Thane means business: Manufacturing excellence, entrepreneurial drive', this edition highlighted one of India's most advantageously-located industrial hubs. Located near Mumbai, Thane has easy access to the infrastructure and financial services essential for MSME development and trade competitiveness. The region hosts a diverse industrial ecosystem, chiefly enterprises engaged in chemical, pharmaceutical, and there are drawbacks too. Thane is vulnerable to unforeseen events such as incessant rainfall and floods. And unlike larger corporations, pharma and chemical MSMEs lack the resources to maintain extensive backup systems, leaving them exposed when natural disasters or other emergencies disrupt their carefully-calibrated Mirchandani, Deputy General Manager of NIA, spoke about what her company is doing to safeguard enterprises against such risks. Here are the highlights from her fireside chat at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit - Thane, titled 'Empowering MSMEs through comprehensive insurance: Bridging the protection gap with New India Assurance'.When you're running on razor-thin margins (and most MSMEs do), natural disasters aren't just business risks. They're existential 2005 Mumbai floods, for example, tested the resolve of every business in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. And for NIA, it was a moment that defined its approach to MSME insurance. As Mirchandani said: 'Floods are not new to Mumbai. They are not new to Thane. They are not new to the Dombivli and Bhiwandi belt. And we are not new to floods.'She added that NIA has the best settlement ratios in this context, which is critical for business continuity. Its expertise in handling catastrophic claims has made its insurance products, including for fire, one of the most sought-after ones, particularly among MSMEs that rely on bank from flood and fire insurance, NIA also covers specialised cover for workmen's compensation, machinery breakdowns, and marine insurance for transportation."You can customise things the way you want. You can choose one or two products or have a number of them in one policy for seamless cover," Mirchandani explained. 'It's insurance that adapts to your business, not the other way around.'Here's something most small manufacturers in Thane's chemical belt don't know: you might already be breaking the law. The Public Liability Industrial Act of 1991 was updated in December 2024, and the implications are staggering. If you're manufacturing, trading, storing, or transporting certain chemicals, you're now legally required to have specific insurance limits? They've jumped from Rs 5-15 crore to Rs 150-500 crore, linked to paid-up capital. Non-compliance can result in fines or business shutdown. "Many of you may not be aware, but it is compulsory," Mirchandani emphasises. "It's now a statutory obligation to take this insurance policy."The push is not about compliance, but survival. In the event of a chemical leak, when third-party property gets damaged or when lives are affected, this insurance is the difference between staying in business and closing down digital-everything, NIA is aware that the most important person in the MSME insurance ecosystem is still "that good old agent around the corner'. That acquaintance who's been handling insurance for years, someone who's the one-point contact for everything from policy purchase to claims service."This is the most preferred mode. Despite so much digitisation, this continues to be the most preferred form of communication even today," Anjali Mirchandani a reminder that in the world of small business, relationships still matter more than technology. MSMEs want someone they can call when things go wrong, someone who understands their business and can guide them through the complexity of insurance environmental regulations tighten and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) norms become mandatory, NIA is already preparing for the next wave of MSME insurance needs. Pollution liability insurance, which is currently not a priority for most small businesses, is likely to become essential as environmental responsibility becomes non-negotiable."The environment is becoming a fundamental issue in this country. Any and every one of us has to be responsive to the fact that if we are causing any damage to the environment, we need to be held responsible for it," Mirchandani in all, NIA isn't just selling insurance; it's selling the ability to sleep at night. Whether it's protecting against floods and fires, ensuring compliance with new chemical industry regulations, or providing comprehensive coverage that doesn't break the bank, the insurer has positioned itself as an institution that understands what small businesses need.
