Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary MSME presenting “friend of India” plaque to delegate from Malawi

The first International SME Convention organised by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises concluded in New Delhi on 24^th April. 160 SMEs from 39 countries participated in the three day event where issues of international best practices on SME development and cooperation, global business opportunities for SMEs, problems faced by women entrepreneurs were discussed.  Poland, with 15 SMEs, had the largest delegation, followed by Uzbekistan with 8 SMEs and Ghana with seven. Four hundred SMEs from India also participated.

23 agreements were signed between SMEs of India and SMEs of UK, Russia, Uzbekistan, Poland, Bhutan, Austria, Czech Republic, Cameroon and Sri Lanka. These agreements are in 12 sectors: food processing, agriculture, textiles, defence, ammunition, waste management, dairy products, coal, jewellery, health care and education. Four foreign SMEs have also signed expression of interest for entering into joint ventures with Government of India.

In his address during the Valedictory function the Secretary M/o MSME Dr. Arun Kumar Panda said that the ministry has planned to set up a Digital Trade Desk aimed at furthering more collaborations between SMEs of India and other countries and for exchange of data. He also said that   another  mega international event is being planned in a few   months. He also said that going by the success of the Convention it is planned to make it an annual feature with 79 countries already showing interest to participate in the next Convention.

Digital Trade Desk to facilitate SME international collaboration and secure cross-border data exchange after international SME convention Establishment of a Digital Trade Desk is announced to facilitate international collaboration among SMEs and enable exchange of data between Indian and foreign SMEs. The Desk is intended as a ministry-level mechanism to operationalise convention-driven cooperation and to support sustained cross-border SME engagement and matchmaking.