Empowering SC/ST MSMEs: National SC-ST Hub’s Entrepreneur Awareness & Special Vendor Development Programme Witnesses Strong Participation in Madgaon, Goa

Madgaon, July 23, 2026: The Entrepreneur Awareness & Special Vendor Development Programme (EA&SVDP) was successfully organized by the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH), Ministry of MSME, Government of India, in collaboration with the Buddhist Entrepreneurs Association of Commerce and Industry (BEACI) at Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda, Madgaon, Goa. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from nearly 107 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, with the objective of empowering SC/ST-owned Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by enhancing their awareness of government procurement opportunities, institutional support mechanisms, and entrepreneurship development initiatives.

The programme was graced by the presence of Shri Amit Kumar Mukherjee, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and Shri Vivek Bisht, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), who addressed the participants and shared valuable insights on MSME development, government support initiatives, and the growing opportunities available for SC/ST entrepreneurs under various flagship programmes.

Addressing the gathering first, Shri Iqbal Ahmad, Chief Manager, National SC-ST Hub, Sindhudurg, highlighted the key initiatives of the National SC-ST Hub and explained the Government of India’s 4% Public Procurement Policy, under which Central Ministries, Departments and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are mandated to procure at least 4% of their annual purchases from SC/ST-owned Micro and Small Enterprises. He urged entrepreneurs to obtain Udyam Registration, register on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, and actively participate in government procurement.

Welcoming the participants, BE Ratnadeep Kamble, Founder Chairman, BEACI, encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to take up entrepreneurship and leverage the numerous opportunities created by various Government of India initiatives. He emphasized the importance of innovation, self-reliance, and collective efforts in building sustainable enterprises.

Shri Amit Kumar Mukherjee, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, then addressed the participants, highlighting the Government’s commitment to strengthening the MSME ecosystem and encouraging SC/ST entrepreneurs to take advantage of various flagship schemes, capacity-building initiatives, and institutional support available for enterprise growth.

Thereafter, Mr. Rohit Kumar, Assistant Director, MSME-Development & Facilitation Office (MSME-DFO), Madgaon, provided valuable information on various MSME development schemes and support mechanisms available for entrepreneurs.

Representatives from major public sector organizations also shared procurement opportunities for MSMEs. Mr. K. S. Ravi Kumar from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Mr. S. M. Nurani from Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), and Ms. Ashmita from Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) explained their procurement processes, vendor registration procedures, and business opportunities available to SC/ST entrepreneurs.

A technical session by Mr. Kenneth Alphonso, GeM Facilitator, guided participants on GeM registration, catalogue management, and effective participation in government tenders. Mr. Gopal Kerkar, Lead District Manager, State Bank of India, explained MSME financing options and credit facilities, while Ms. Smita Raikar, representing the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce (DITC), Government of Goa, briefed participants on various State Government schemes and incentives for MSMEs.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, enabling entrepreneurs to clarify their queries regarding government procurement, vendor registration, financial assistance, and enterprise development.

The event was successfully coordinated through the dedicated efforts of BE Suhas Kamble, BE Satish Korgaonkar, BE Ashok Khajanekar, BE Tushar Jadhav, and the entire BEACI team, whose support contributed significantly to the successful conduct of the programme.

The programme reaffirmed the commitment of the National SC-ST Hub, the Ministry of MSME, and its partner organizations towards promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, strengthening market access, and enhancing the participation of SC/ST entrepreneurs in India’s economic growth.

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