MSME drives SC/ST entrepreneur outreach, vendor linkages in city

Chandigarh: Over 100 entrepreneurs participated in an outreach programme by the MSME ministry in the city Monday, aimed at boosting enterprise among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities and improving their access to procurement and finance.

Held at the CII Northern Region headquarters in Sector 31-A, the Entrepreneur Awareness and Special Vendor Development Programme focused on linking SC/ST entrepreneurs with govt buyers and financial institutions.

Organised in association with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event highlighted key schemes, including the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH), designed to enhance procurement opportunities for micro and small enterprises owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs.

Officials urged participants to register on the Udyam portal to formalise businesses and improve eligibility for govt schemes. Sessions also covered vendor registration, e-tendering, documentation, credit access and subsidy support.

Representatives from CPSEs, banks and institutions — including GeM, BBMB, Powergrid, FCI, Exim Bank, IIT Ropar, SBI and Punjab National Bank — took part, offering guidance on vendor empanelment and funding avenues.

The programme also enabled direct interaction between entrepreneurs and stakeholders, with a focus on easing entry into supply chains and expanding market linkages.