A State-Level Stakeholder Consultation Workshop was held as part of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) program, organized by the Directorate of Trade, Commerce & Industries, Manipur (DTC&I) and the Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Limited (MANIDCO) at Imperial Hall, Classic Grande Imphal. The event gathered government officials, industry representatives, financial institutions, and various stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem in Manipur.
The Director of Trade, Commerce & Industries emphasized the fundamental role of MSMEs in fostering entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and driving innovation within the state. He acknowledged the significant contributions of MSMEs to both trade and regional development but pointed out that they face considerable challenges, particularly in accessing affordable credit and facing high logistics costs due to the state’s geographical positioning. Actions under the RAMP program have led to meaningful advancements, including capacity-building efforts, awareness campaigns to encourage the formalization of businesses, and enhanced institutional collaboration to improve credit access and boost enterprise competitiveness.
A highlighted initiative was the Interest Subvention Programme for Women-Owned Enterprises, which provides a 2% annual interest subsidy on loans up to Rs. 4 lakh, aimed at alleviating financial pressure and encouraging growth among women entrepreneurs. This program is facilitated through the DTC&I and District Industries Centres in partnership with select banks.
Additionally, the Logistics Strengthening for MSMEs Scheme was discussed, offering eligible MSMEs reimbursement of up to one-third of their annual transportation costs, with a limit of Rs. 1.5 lakh. This support applies to both the transportation of finished products and the procurement of raw materials. The state intends to benefit at least 500 MSMEs across all 16 districts over the next two years through these initiatives.
These programs align with the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises’ vision from the Government of India and demonstrate the state government’s dedication to developing a resilient, inclusive, and competitive MSME sector. The workshop ended with interactive discussions where stakeholders provided feedback and suggestions for improving policy implementation and ensuring sustainable MSME growth in Manipur.
