A Day – Long Conclave on MSMEs & Inclusive Growth

FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Hyderabad hosted a day-long conclave on MSMEs and inclusive growth on June 24th, 2024. The event was inaugurated by Smt. Joyshree Das Verma, National President of FLO, alongside Chairperson Priya Gazdar and past chairpersons. Telangana’s IT Minister, Dr. Sridhar Babu, emphasized the essential role of women in industrial growth and affirmed the Telangana Government’s commitment to the state’s industrial development in his keynote address. He announced the upcoming release of the state’s first MSME policy, aiming for inclusive growth, and highlighted plans for a Skill University to enhance digital skills, positioning Hyderabad as a future AI hub.

FLO National President, Joyshree Das Verma, discussed FLO’s mission to promote growth and inclusivity for women entrepreneurs, noting that MSMEs contribute 30% to India’s GDP, 45% of manufacturing output, and generate 11 crore jobs.

An MoU was signed between FLO and ni-msme, represented by Smt. Joyshree Das Verma and Dr. Glory Swarupa, Director-General of ni-msme. Priya Gazdar, Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad Chapter, highlighted the pivotal role of MSMEs in economic development and thanked ni-msme for partnering with FLO to advance the cause of women in MSMEs. She emphasized ni-msme’s role as a pioneering central government institution focused on capacity-building, skill-upgradation, research, and entrepreneurship development in the SME sector.

An inaugural panel discussion was held on “Women-led MSMEs: Opportunities, Challenges, and Expectations.” The panelists were Dr. Glory Swarupa, Director-General of ni-msme; Sita Pallacholla, CEO of We-Hub; and Vatsala Mishra, Director-MSME & Retail, Government of Telangana. The discussion was moderated by Priya Gazdar. The panelists shared relevant policies, schemes, and support, including the Central Sector Scheme “RAMP — Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity,” which aims to scale up the implementation capacity and coverage of MSMEs in the states, enhancing the impact of existing MSME schemes. Dr. Glory Swarupa noted that women are capable of much more than traditional roles, citing their involvement in precision engineering and other fields.

In a fireside chat, Kishore Kedari, Head of Production at Arka Media Works, and Rajeev Ranjan, Co-founder & COO of Spirit Media, discussed the significant role of small businesses in film and media.

The next session, titled “Environmental, Social, Governance – The New Call to Action,” was led by Mr. Chandrasekhar Chincholkar, who highlighted the critical importance of environmental governance.

The valedictory session was conducted by the Chief Secretary of IT, Telangana, who spoke on “The MSME Sector: Fuelling the Self-Reliant India Dream.” He highlighted the pivotal role of MSMEs in driving India’s economic independence and emphasized the need for supportive policies and innovation to strengthen this vital sector.

The conclave concluded with the recognition of 10 women for their outstanding achievements, celebrating those who have redefined success through innovation and resilience. Their inspiring contributions to business, social impact, sustainability, and beyond were acknowledged. These women serve as role models, demonstrating the transformative power of leadership and dedication in various fields.

Over 150 members attended the session.