Najma opens conclave on entrepreneurship promotion
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 10 2019: Governor Dr Najma Heptulla, inaugurated a one-day conclave of local craft entrepreneurs, traditional craftsmen and MSMEs on 'Promoting entrepreneurship and harnessing untapped potential of geographical indications of Manipur' at hotel Classic Grande here today.

The one-day conclave was organized by the Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans and Craftsmen (MEETAC), an autonomous body under Department of Commerce and Industries, in association with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PHDCCI) to deliberate on Startup India, Standup India, Government E-market and Geographical Indications.

Najma opens conclave on entrepreneurship promotion

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor complimented the organisers for their effort and commitment to uplift the local craft entrepreneurs, traditional artisans and craftsmen in the State.

Though these traditional artisans of the State have struggled long due to lack of patronage the charm of hand-woven fabric has never faded and now there is more awareness among people about such products, added Dr Najma Heptulla.

The Governor further stated that to introduce these artisans to newer markets, the state Government has initiated the Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans & Craftsmen (MEETAC) in 2018 with an aim to help artisans by developing entrepreneurial competencies in them.

The mission concentrates on product development to capture the needs of the younger generation, larger and high-end markets with a special focus on exports.

New articles, collections and clothing line through product diversification, in collaboration with well-known institutions like National Institute of Design, Central India Regional Council (CIRC), Indian Institute of Packaging etc will be introduced through MEETAC.

Dr Najma Heptulla said that PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industries (PHDCCI), which is the National apex chamber working at the grassroots level with strong National and international linkage has joined hands with MEETAC to promote entrepreneurship in the State.

The chamber acts as a catalyst in the promotion of industry, trade and entrepreneurship and positively impacts the economic growth and development of the nation.

She also expressed her optimism that MEETAC with PHDCCI would be in position to make a long lasting impact on the economy of the State, the craft sector in particular.

She further stated that rural folks in various parts of the State possess unique skill and expertise to produce hand crafted products like handicrafts, jewelleries, textiles and other related products.

Geographical Indications (GI) are tightly interwoven into rural lives which employ traditional methods, practices and know-how to produce these goods.

With the protection assured by GI registration, pirates and counterfeiters cannot encroach on the markets and the consumers are guaranteed of the genuineness of different products.

Commerce & Industries Minister Th Biswajit speaking as the president of the function, pointed out that providing Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has been another significant step of the present Government.

GeM is a one-stop arrangement to facilitate online procurement of common use goods & services required by various Government departments/organizations/PSUs.

GeM provides local entrepreneurs a one-stop shop for marketing with minimal efforts.

The conclave was attended by Dr DK Agarwal, president (PHDCCI); Dr Mahesh Y Reddy, Secretary General (PHDCCI); Anurag Bajpai, CEO (MEETAC); Dr HP Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director (NSIC); Sanjay Joseph, Deputy CEO (Government E-Marketplace); officials from Ministry of MSME, SIDBI, Bank of Baroda; Quality Council of India; Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks; National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; founder of Biswajit Sarkar & Associates, an expert in Geographical Indications; other officials of PHDCCI, senior officials from the State Government, local craft entrepreneurs, MSMEs, MBA students and Department of Entrepreneurship from Manipur University etc.