Rohit Kumar
Sri Vijaya Puram, 18 March 2025
The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Industries, Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Administration, organized a Competitiveness Composite Workshop under the World Bank-supported Central Sector Scheme ‘Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance’ (RAMP) Programme. The initiative aims to tackle challenges faced by MSMEs through a series of interventions, including newly introduced sub-schemes under RAMP.
The workshop focused on raising awareness about various initiatives of the Ministry of MSME, including existing schemes such as the MSME Champions Scheme and the National SC/ST Hub Scheme. It also highlighted new initiatives launched under RAMP, such as the MSE Green Investment and Financing for Transformation (MSE GIFT), MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE), MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative, and the Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments. Additionally, efforts supported under RAMP, including the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, were discussed.
The event witnessed active participation from a large number of MSMEs, industry associations, central and state government representatives, banks, and financial institutions. Representatives from the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Quality Council of India, and Invoicemart made presentations on various schemes and initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Vinamra Mishra, Director, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, stated that the workshop is part of the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ outreach initiative. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to supporting MSMEs through digital and technological solutions aimed at improving access to credit, markets, and technology while addressing delayed payments and fostering environmental sustainability. He highlighted the significance of the MSME Champions Scheme and stressed the need for promoting innovation through hackathons and commercialisation of intellectual property.
Dr. Milan Sharma, National Project Management Unit (PMU) Head for the RAMP Programme, underscored the importance of bringing more women into the formal sector to help them avail the benefits of various schemes, particularly those tailored for women entrepreneurs. She also spoke about the MSME TEAM Initiative, which aims to enhance digital market access for MSMEs through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Additionally, she elaborated on the newly launched schemes promoting sustainability and circular economy practices under RAMP.
Mr. K. Chandrasekharan, President of the Andaman & Nicobar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, extended support to the MSMEs and lauded the Ministry’s efforts in raising awareness about the available schemes. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives in strengthening the MSME sector in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Mr. Rakesh Das, Director of the Department of Industries, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, commended the Ministry of MSME for its efforts under the RAMP Programme. He urged MSMEs to actively participate and leverage the initiatives to drive dynamic growth in the sector.
The workshop served as a significant platform for MSMEs in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to gain insights into various government initiatives aimed at enhancing their competitiveness and sustainability. (Story Based on PR)