GANGTOK: A one-day national seminar and workshop on export promotion was organised on January 29 by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development and Facilitation Office (MSME-DFO), Gangtok, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), and the Spices Board of India at seminar hall, Paryatan Bhawan here.
Nirmal Chowdhury, assistant director, MSME-DFO, Gangtok, delivered the welcome address and provided an overview of the programme. He highlighted the objectives of the seminar and the importance of export promotion for local businesses. He stated that such initiatives would help small and medium enterprises expand their reach beyond domestic markets.
Ravi Kumar, director, Commerce & Industries department spoke about the export potential of local spices, tea, and other indigenous products. He emphasised the need to identify key products for export growth and focus on improving their market value. He outlined various government support schemes, including transport subsidies, product insurance, sponsorship for trade fairs, and funding for training and business development. He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of these schemes and highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting exports from Sikkim.
Tushar G Nikhare, District Collector, stressed the significance of export promotion for Sikkim’s economic growth. He urged MSME-DFO to send representatives to Gram Sabhas to inform local entrepreneurs about government initiatives and opportunities. He spoke about the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur’ initiative, which is a state government programme that helps new businesses with financial aid and training. He also said people need financial and digital knowledge to succeed in business today. Additionally, he mentioned the role of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in empowering rural entrepreneurs by supporting value addition and market linkages for forest-based products.
Ajay Kumar Sinha, General Manager, NABARD, described Sikkim as a hub for organic farming and handloom products, which have strong export potential. He encouraged entrepreneurs to focus on high-quality production and explore new markets. He also pointed out the challenges faced in the export sector, including the need for better logistics and certification processes. He called for the establishment of an organic certification laboratory in Sikkim to facilitate exports and strengthen the credibility of organic products in international markets.
The inaugural session concluded with the presentation of mementoes to dignitaries and a word of thanks by Nisha Rani, assistant director, MSME-DFO, Gangtok.
During the technical sessions, Neeraj Thapa, additional director, FSSAI, provided insights into the certification process required for food exports. He detailed the necessary quality standards and regulatory requirements, emphasising that compliance with these measures is crucial for gaining international market access. He also mentioned initiatives to simplify the certification process for small-scale businesses.
Bidhan Das, deputy director, IIP, Kolkata, discussed the importance of packaging in export success. He explained how proper packaging enhances product appeal, ensures quality preservation, and meets international regulations. He also highlighted the support provided by IIP in terms of training, research, and financial assistance for packaging improvements.
SS Biju, assistant director, Spices Board, Gangtok, explained the board’s role in export promotion. He spoke about various assistance schemes available for farmers and exporters, including financial aid and training programmes. He encouraged local producers to tap into these resources to improve their competitiveness in the global market.
Saju Adhikari, Business Development Manager, APEDA, Guwahati, elaborated on the role of APEDA in export marketing assistance. He provided an overview of export-related documentation procedures and stressed the need for businesses to understand international trade regulations. He also discussed how APEDA helps exporters with market access and promotional activities to enhance global trade opportunities.
The programme concluded with an interactive session where participants discussed export challenges and opportunities with experts.
- IPR Report
