Enhancing MSME Participation in Public Procurement through Vendor Development Programme
Public procurement presents significant opportunities for MSMEs to expand market access, scale operations, and integrate into formal supply chains. However, limited awareness of registration procedures and procurement processes often acts as a deterrent. To address these gaps and enhance awareness, a Vendor Development Programme (VDP) was conducted on December 30, 2025.
The programme was jointly organised by EDII and the Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation (PIPDIC) under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme. It focused on sensitising MSMEs to vendor registration procedures, procurement opportunities, and facilitating direct engagement with major Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and government institutions.
(Right) Mr. Samit Kumar, Faculty, EDII felicitating the Chief Guest Shri A. Namassivayam, Hon’ble Minister for Home and Minister for Industries & Commerce, Government of Puducherry.
Shri A. Namassivayam, Hon’ble Minister highlighted the various industrial development initiatives undertaken by the Government of Puducherry to strengthen the MSME ecosystem and encouraged entrepreneurs to participate in public procurement opportunities.
The programme witnessed participation from 174 MSMEs across diverse sectors. It featured buyer–seller interaction sessions with public procurement agencies, enabling MSMEs to directly engage with buyer representatives and gain clarity on the technical, commercial, and procedural aspects of government procurement. The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of EDII and PIPDIC to strengthening MSME market access, promoting transparent procurement processes, and fostering sustainable industrial growth in Puducherry.
Capacity Building, Training, and Cooking Competition
A two-day Capacity Building Training Programme and Cooking Competition were organised on January 30–31, 2026, with the objective of strengthening the capacities of MSMEs and food vendors. The programme was jointly organised by EDII in association with the Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation (PIPDIC) and the Puducherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). A total of 57 MSMEs from the food sector participated. Selected MSMEs will be offered an international exposure visit to Thailand and Malaysia to gain insights into advanced food technologies, culinary practices, and global market dynamics.
Chhattisgarh MSMEs Set to Witness Skill-Based Growth
EDII is implementing capacity-building programmes under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme in Chhattisgarh. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing the managerial, operational, and production capabilities of MSMEs across the state.
Over the last two months, the Institute conducted 15 sector-specific training programmes in the districts of Jashpur, Korba, Mahasamund, Raigarh, and Kondagaon. The programmes covered diverse sectors, including Minor Forest Produce (MFP), handicrafts, handloom, plastics, bell metal craft, iron art, soft toys, and Gond art. Collectively, these interventions benefited more than 500 MSME entrepreneurs by strengthening their skills in production practices, quality improvement, value addition, and basic enterprise management.
Empowering MSMEs through Capacity Building in Maharashtra
During the same period, under RAMP–Maharashtra and with sponsorship support from the Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (MSSIDC), EDII conducted a series of handholding initiatives across multiple locations in Maharashtra. A total of 23 training programmes were organised, benefiting 1,150 MSME entrepreneurs. The programmes focused on enhancing financial literacy, improving understanding of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, and building awareness about Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Widespread Entrepreneurship Awareness and Skill Development in Uttar Pradesh
To foster an entrepreneurial mindset and promote entrepreneurship among youth, the Institute, with the support of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, implemented a series of entrepreneurship-focused interventions in Uttar Pradesh over the last two months.
As part of these initiatives, six one-day Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes (EAPs) were conducted, reaching 345 participants. The programmes were designed to create awareness about entrepreneurship as a viable career option and to disseminate information on relevant government schemes and institutional support mechanisms.
January 1, 2026: Shri Sanjai R. Bhoosreddy (IAS), Chairman, Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Authority (RERA), Jankalyan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), and the India Literacy Board, addressed the participants during the inauguration of the EAP.
Mr. P. N. Srivastava, Faculty, EDII, felicitated Ms. Sandhya Tewari (Retd. IAS), Director, India Literacy Board.
Additionally, six six-week Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs) are currently underway. The first four weeks of the ESDPs focus on technical skill training in areas such as computer applications, stitching, and beauty parlour services. The remaining two weeks cover project report preparation, basic accounting, loan procedures, marketing, and field visits.
Together, these interventions aim to equip participants with the skills required to start and scale entrepreneurial ventures, thereby contributing to local economic development and livelihood generation in Uttar Pradesh.