Aizawl: The Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Mizoram organised a one-day workshop on the promotion and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at Dawrpui Multipurpose Hall in Aizawl.
The event brought together state and central officials, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to discuss challenges facing the MSME sector in Mizoram and explore strategies for strengthening the ecosystem.
In his welcome address, Dr Lalzirmawia Chhangte, Commissioner & Secretary, Commerce and Industries, highlighted the importance of the workshop in fostering collaboration and policy facilitation. The session was chaired by Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, who also delivered the keynote address.
Meena noted that MSMEs play a crucial role in the state’s development, particularly in rural areas, and highlighted growth in sectors such as food processing and eco-tourism. He said MSMEs account for 44% of registered enterprises in the state. However, he also pointed out challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited market access, and regulatory hurdles.
He encouraged alignment with global goals and said the Centre’s ‘Handholding Scheme’ had enabled ₹50 crore in loan disbursals in the state. Entrepreneurs were urged to adopt sustainable and inclusive business practices.
S.C.L. Das, Secretary to the Government of India and co-chair of the session, called for stronger partnerships and stressed that the development of Mizoram was vital to the country’s overall progress. He encouraged Mizo youth to focus on self-reliance and innovation.
Officials from the Ministry of MSME also made presentations. Joint Secretary Mercy Epao highlighted flagship schemes like the National SC/ST Hub (NSSH) and the Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS), noting the MSME sector contributes over 31% to India’s GDP and supports over 20 crore jobs.
Joint Secretary Ateesh Singh addressed MSME financing, saying that while credit to the sector had grown 11% nationwide, Mizoram had reached 85% of its Annual Credit Plan (ACP) target by March 2025. He acknowledged that 298 credit-related grievances from the Northeast had been submitted on the CHAMPIONS portal.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session between officials and participants, who stressed the need for ongoing collaboration among state agencies, central ministries, and entrepreneurs to address bottlenecks and unlock the potential of the MSME sector in Mizoram.
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