To mark International MSME Day, the FICCI West Bengal State Council, organised the 6th edition of its flagship seminar – Empowering MSMEs for a Sustainable Future – in Kolkata today. Sustainability remains a key priority for FICCI and the programme was organized in collaboration with the FICCI Centre for Sustainability Leadership.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Mr. Rajesh Pandey, IAS, Principal Secretary, MSME & Textiles Department, Government of West Bengal, highlighted the state’s robust MSME ecosystem, with over 93 lakh enterprises and the highest number of women-led enterprises in the country. He also underscored the state’s focus on cluster-based development, key initiatives including the SAIP scheme and artisan empowerment to drive inclusive and sustainable MSME growth. West Bengal has recorded a 22% CAGR in MSME credit over the past decade, with disbursements
expected to cross ₹2 lakh crore this year.
Ms. Barbara Voss, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kolkata, emphasized the critical role of women-led MSMEs in driving inclusive and sustainable growth. Underscoring the importance of gender-inclusive entrepreneurship, she called for deeper collaboration and knowledge-sharing between India and Germany to build resilient, future-ready MSMEs.
Mr RK Chhajer, Chair – FICCI MSME Committee, West Bengal and Mr Girish Luthra, President, FICCI-CMSME shared their perspectives on strengthening the MSME ecosystem and highlighted FICCI’s role in supporting sustainable growth for the sector.
Mr. Ajeya Bandyopadhyay, South Asia Lead for Climate Advisory at IFC – World Bank also addressed the session. Senior bankers including Mr Rajneesh Kumar, DGM (SME), State Bank of India; Mr Pravin Basant Bhojwani, AGM – East, ECGC; Mr Anirudha Barooah, AGM & Regional Head, India Exim Bank; and Mr Ajay Kumar, Chief Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, spoke about how financial institutions can play a critical role in facilitating access to green finance and ESG compliance for export-oriented MSMEs.
Mr Sitanath Mukherjee, IEDS, Assistant Director, MSME-Development & Facilitation Office, Kolkata; Mr Kumar P Saha, MD & CEO, Senrysa Technologies; Mr Saurabh Palsania, Joint President – Strategic Sourcing, Shree Cement; and Mr Namit Shah, MD, F Harley & Company Pvt Ltd, Representative of PUM shared insights on sustainable strategies and circular economy practices to enhance MSME resilience and competitiveness.
The event was supported by the MSME & Textiles Department, Government of West Bengal, along with SBI, ECGC, India Exim Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, ArcVac ForgeCast, Senrysa Technologies, and the FICCI Centre for Sustainability Leadership.
The seminar was attended by over 180 participants reaffirming a collective commitment to empower MSMEs in building a greener, more resilient future.
