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Hans India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Govt building e-commerce export hubs to empower MSMEs
New Delhi: The government is laying the foundation for a next-generation export ecosystem -- one that is digital-first, logistics-enabled and MSME-inclusive, Moin Afaque, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), said on Saturday. Addressing the India SME Forum's 'MSME Day Conclave 2025' here on creating a robust ecosystem for MSME e-commerce exports, he said that upcoming e-commerce export hubs are inspired by global best practices and will function as single-window zones for logistics, certification and regulatory support. 'With five pilot hubs already approved and more in the pipeline, we aim to scale this model across the country,' he told the gathering. The event underscored the urgent need for digital transformation, enhanced export readiness, and robust trade facilitation to unlock the true potential of Indian small businesses on the world stage, while closing market access gaps for Indian MSMEs to scale globally. 'Global supply chains are shifting, and India is emerging as the trusted alternative. This opens a huge opportunity for MSMEs to go global, especially through e-commerce,' said Vinod Kumar, President, India SME Forum. 'Buyers are choosing Indian products even at 5–7 per cent higher prices because of the trust and reliability we offer. With over 45 countries easing market access, e-commerce exports are fast becoming a powerful growth engine. This is India's moment, and MSMEs are leading the way,' he noted. The highlight of the conclave was the National MSME Impact Awards 2025, that recognised exceptional work by state governments, financial institutions, and solution and service providers who have gone beyond conventional mandates to catalyse systemic change and build inclusive support frameworks for MSMEs. Winners included Bank of Baroda for Public Sector Bank and HDFC Bank for Private Sector Bank. Amazon won gold in the Best Exports Platform and Best E-Marketplace categories, while Microsoft led the Technology Providers category and Google led the Digital Solutions category. DHL topped the Logistics Solutions category and New India Assurance won the Best Insurance Provider award, according to India SME Forum.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Address public grievances effectively, Collector tells officials
Anantapur: District Collector Dr Vinod Kumar emphasised that Anantapur should emerge as the best district in the State and urged officials to implement government priority programmes with sincerity and accountability at the grassroots level. He directed officials to actively coordinate with field-level staff and ensure impactful implementation of key initiatives. The Collector conducted a review meeting with department officials at the Mini Conference Hall in the Anantapur Collectorate on Friday, focusing on enhancing positive public perception of government programmes. During the meeting, Dr Vinod Kumar stressed the need for timely and effective execution of the State government flagship programmes within the jurisdiction of each department. He mentioned that the Chief Minister was closely monitoring the progress of these priority initiatives and expects serious commitment from all concerned departments. The Collector expressed concern over the declining behavior and performance of some officials, stating that such attitudes were affecting the district's ranking in various State evaluations. He insisted that district officials must change their approach and improve both performance and behaviour. He added that any officials failing to perform or receiving complaints would face action. To build a positive perception of governance, he instructed the Joint Collector, DRO and all district officers to take up special drives and address public grievances effectively. Departments such as Revenue and Survey, which are receiving a high volume of complaints, were specifically directed to intensify their efforts and work closely with grassroots officials. Dr. Vinod Kumar also mentioned that the State government would release a Positive Perception Report next month and directed all departments to strive for favourable outcomes. He instructed constituency-level special officers to monitor public sentiment and conduct field inspections, while also preparing detailed proformas to evaluate implementation. The Collector directed the officers to submit reports after conducting special drives and take appropriate corrective measures based on field realities. Officials present at the meeting included Assistant Collector Sachin Rahar, DRO A Malola, Agriculture Officer Umamaheswaramma, Mines AG Adinarayana, DCHS Paul Ravikumar, GGH Administrator Mallikarjun, District TB Officer Anupama James, Civil Supplies DM Ramesh Reddy, APSRTC RM Sumanth R Adoni, APSPDCL SE Seshadri Shekhar, Survey AD Ruplanayak and several others from various departments.
Entrepreneur
2 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Micro, Small, and Mighty: MSME Day 2025
The story of India's MSMEs is far from over. Their future will be shaped not only by how well they adopt new technologies but also by how inclusively they grow, how strategically they invest, and how sustainably they operate. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As India marks MSME Day 2025, the country finds itself at a critical juncture. With over 7.4 crore micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) accounting for nearly 30 per cent of GDP, 45.7 per cent of exports, and employing over 20 crore people, the sector is undeniably the backbone of the Indian economy. The emergence of Industry 5.0 marks a new chapter for India's MSMEs, where the fusion of human creativity and intelligent machines could redefine manufacturing, services, and even artisanal sectors. But despite its scale and contribution, MSMEs face a complex matrix of challenges such as – limited access to finance, outdated technology, skill gaps, and infrastructure bottlenecks. Yet, a quiet transformation is underway, powered by digital tools, policy support, and a growing recognition that innovation must be inclusive if India is to realise its vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy. Levelling the Playing Field Vinod Kumar, partner & leader - manufacturing at PwC India, highlights this inflection point: "India's MSME sector is undergoing a pivotal transformation, with technology emerging as a key enabler of competitiveness and scalability." For Kumar, MSMEs are increasingly adopting digital tools such as cloud-based ERP systems, e-commerce platforms, digital payments, and AI-powered analytics—to streamline operations, access broader markets, and enhance productivity. "Whether in precision engineering, healthcare devices, or agri-tech," he says, "the integration of smart technologies with human creativity is unlocking new possibilities." This momentum is mirrored in the numbers. According to a SME Digital Insights Study, over half of SMEs in India now use public cloud infrastructure, and one in five has migrated more than 50 per cent of their workload to the cloud. Cloud-powered tools like ERP and CRM systems are helping integrate business functions, streamline operations, and promote remote collaboration—without the need for large IT teams or capital-heavy infrastructure. Aditya Kinra, vice-president, Tata Teleservices, highlights how cloud adoption is reducing barriers to scale: "By shifting to cloud-based infrastructure, MSMEs can eliminate heavy capital investments in physical servers and IT hardware, opting instead for pay-as-you-go models that optimise resource utilisation." He also points to the strategic advantages MSMEs gain in this shift: "With affordable and accessible digital solutions, they can now leverage the same technological tools as large corporations—driving innovation, accelerating growth, and competing on an equal footing." Technology Alone Isn't Enough But if technology is the fuel, people are still the engine. For many MSMEs, especially those in rural or legacy sectors, the gap in digital literacy remains a major hurdle. Kinra notes that while adoption is growing, challenges such as limited digital skills, cybersecurity risks, and fragmented implementation still hinder full-scale transformation. "Technology adoption alone is not enough—businesses also need the right skill sets and strategic guidance to maximise their digital investments," he says. The government, too, has tried to bridge these divides with targeted schemes like Udyam Registration, Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. These are designed to streamline compliance, improve credit flow, and support tech adoption. Yet, as Lajpat Yadav, COO at Ador Welding Ltd., puts it, "Disparities persist, such as limited access to capital, poor access to technology, and limited accessibility to the formal marketplace." He argues that structured financial practices, disciplined budgeting, and stronger financial literacy are equally essential for long-term sustainability. Platforms, Policy, and Partnerships Some firms are taking this message seriously. Ketan Kulkarni, CEO of AllcargoGATI, points out that, "Platforms like ONDC, Amazon, and Flipkart allow MSMEs to bypass traditional distribution channels and connect directly with customers." The stakeholders need to be focused on bolstering MSME clusters across India, providing end-to-end supply chain solutions that allow them to grow beyond hometown constraints. Yet, it's not just about commerce. Vasu Naren, CMD of Sona Machinery Ltd., reminds us that the government still needs to step it up. "The government needs to lay special emphasis on investing in Research and Development (R&D), refining quality control processes, and developing innovation ecosystems in order to improve MSME competitiveness." To match global standards, Naren believes India must invest more to improve quality control processes and reduce the skill gap with technology training. "AI will change the world and so will it change the MSME industry," he says, "and all workers, owners, stakeholders must be well prepared for it." This call for a broader support ecosystem is echoed by Rajneesh Kumar, SVP at Flipkart Group, who says that, "With strategic collaborations like Walmart Vriddhi, we are collectively enabling entrepreneurs to scale their aspirations and significantly contribute to India's burgeoning digital economy." Similarly, Jason Fremstad, SVP at Walmart, underscores the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with the business skills and market access needed to thrive in a digital economy. "Many micro enterprises face difficulties in securing the knowledge, tools and market access they need," he says. "Empowering these entrepreneurs has helped them to build and scale their business sustainably." Ready for the Future At a broader level, India's MSME sector remains hampered by regulatory complexity, low productivity in traditional industries, and insufficient integration into global value chains. Experts suggest a systemic, policy-driven approach is needed; one that combines infrastructure development, digital upskilling, simplified compliance, and access to formal credit markets. Pankaj Gupta, MD & CEO, Godrej Finance sums it up perfectly, "Many MSMEs don't lack ambition, they lack access, clarity, and confidence. They need support in understanding compliance, unlocking working capital, and going digital without getting overwhelmed." The story of India's MSMEs is far from over. Their future will be shaped not only by how well they adopt new technologies but also by how inclusively they grow, how strategically they invest, and how sustainably they operate. As India looks ahead to 2047 and the vision of a developed, self-reliant nation, the role of MSMEs will be nothing short of decisive.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
3 drug peddlers held at Hyderabad; MDMA, OG Kush worth Rs 1.75 lakh seized
Representative Image HYDERABAD: The excise sleuths arrested drug peddlers and seized 22 grams of MDMA and 6 grams of premium cannabis variant 'OG Kush', all worth Rs 1.75 lakh from them at Neredmet. The arrested were identified as Neeraj Kumar, Vinod Kumar and Balaji. Based on a tip-off, the officials intercepted a delivery rider who brought the contraband from Bengaluru and caught two local distributors who were waiting to receive the parcel from him.
Hans India
20-06-2025
- Hans India
Collector inspects Sakhi Centre
Anantapur: District Collector Dr Vinod Kumar conducted a surprise inspection of the Sakhi Centre (One Stop Center) located on the premises of the Government District Headquarters Hospital in Anantapur. He was accompanied by Project Director Nagamani (District Women and Child Welfare Department), RMO Dr Hemalatha, and Urban Tahsildar Hari. During the visit, he stressed that Central and State governments have implemented several welfare programmes for women, and it is the responsibility of the concerned departments to ensure women are fully aware of these schemes. He instructed the PD to organise awareness programmes every month at the Sakhi Centre and directed that all staff at the centre must function strictly in accordance with the law. He inquired about the number of staff, the types of services provided to women facing distress, and the nature of issues commonly reported. He reviewed counseling records, registers, and services offered, including legal aid, medical assistance, police help, temporary shelter, and protection support. He also examined the checklists and file maintenance systems, urging staff to maintain all documentation properly. The Collector was briefed by Sakhi Centre Manager Shantamani, who reported that since 2006, 1,914 cases have been registered under the Domestic Violence Act, out of which 1,290 cases have been resolved, 592 are under court trial, and 32 cases are under investigation by Protection Officers. Sakhi Centre staff stated that 24/7 services are available for women in need, offering integrated support including counseling, legal advice, medical care, police intervention, and shelter. Officials who attended the inspection include Deputy RMO Padmaja, Medical College Principal Manikya Rao, DCPO Manjunath, SI Bharathi, Social Counselor Umadevi, Legal Counselor A Narmada, Data Entry Operator Geethamma, and Home Guards PR Bharathi and Shakeer Basha.
