FICCI FLO, the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, hosted a seminar on June 24th, 2024 at Hyatt Centric, Kolkata. The aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in Kolkata gained valuable insights into the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector.
The seminar featured prominent speakers, including Mamta Binani – President of the MSME Development Forum – West Bengal Chapter, Mr PC Khurana – Zonal Head of Central Bank of India, and Sunil Bhoruka, Director of Suvidha Consultants Limited. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the MSME sector as a key driver of India’s economy, fostering entrepreneurship and creating significant employment opportunities with low capital investment. The discussion called attention to the fact that 96% of enterprises in India fall under the small sector. West Bengal boasts the second-highest number of MSME units in the country, with a staggering 89-90 lakh registrations. This sector contributes a significant 30% to the nation’s GDP and provides employment to a remarkable 11 crore individuals. A local entrepreneur who attended the seminar shared her journey of starting with just one stitching machine and growing her business into a successful store, with the help of the support she received from the MSME program. This powerful example underscored the transformative potential of MSMEs for aspiring entrepreneurs. Discussions also covered the challenges faced by MSMEs, such as finding markets due to fierce competition, not only domestically but also from international players. Another challenge faced by MSME is securing funds.
The seminar concluded as a resounding success, leaving attendees empowered and equipped with comprehensive knowledge. The speakers, Ms. Mamta Binani, Mr PC Khurana, and Mr Sunil Bhoruka, proved to be not only insightful, but also generous with their time, offering their expertise and fostering an approachable atmosphere. One of the speakers delivered a presentation to further enhance understanding of key concepts. This commitment to clarity and participant engagement left a lasting impression on the spectators. Shradha Murarka, Chairperson of the Kolkata Chapter of FICCI-FLO, stated “Today’s discussion aimed to highlight the opportunities and challenges within the MSME landscape, particularly concerning the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The expertise and knowledge shared by DR Mrs Mamta Binani, the engaging dialogues, sharing of best practices, and fostering collaborations, have enriched our understanding and will empower more women to embark on entrepreneurial journeys within the MSME sector. As we move forward, we carry the knowledge and inspiration gained today to bridge the gap between MSMEs and women entrepreneurs, fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” Shradha also emphasised the urgency towards a future where every woman entrepreneur has the opportunity to realize her full potential and contribute to the growth and dynamism of our economy.
About FICCI FLO
FLO was established in 1983, as a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI) which is the apex body of industry and commerce in India. As an All India Organization for women, FLO has 20 Chapters pan India – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Northeast, Pune and Uttarakhand, with its Head Office in New Delhi. Our members comprise of entrepreneurs, professionals and corporate executives.
