By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 27: In a bid to outline the business opportunities available to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enable them to become more competitive in defence manufacturing and exports, an awareness session on ‘Defence Production and MSMEs – A New Normal’ was organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata, in partnership with the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), in Shillong.
Supported by the Frontier Chamber of Commerce and local industry associations, the session underscored the need for greater participation of MSMEs in the defence sector.
In his welcome address, Frontier Chamber of Commerce president Manoj Agarwal spoke about the importance of a robust defence procurement policy favouring Indian companies, particularly in the context of contemporary regional conflicts and the government’s call for self-reliance. He said that MSMEs must not only supply essential goods and services but also innovate, adopt advanced technologies, and integrate into larger supply chains.
Vice-Admiral (retd) Bimalendu Guha, who is the advisor to the Defence Sub-Committee of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, recalled efforts during his naval career when India was heavily dependent on the US and USSR. He highlighted the current era as a significant shift towards indigenisation, urging MSMEs to maintain global benchmarks of quality in arms, ammunition, and machinery.
Deputy Director General (NDCD), Department of Defence Production, Lokesh Kumar Sharma, detailed the government’s procurement procedures, explaining the “Buy” and “Make” categories and emphasising that 70 per cent of the defence procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industries to boost self-reliance. He added that MSMEs must meet quality standards to access export opportunities in the global defence market.
GRSE General Manager (CP, VD & IND) Gulshan Ratan highlighted collaboration opportunities for MSMEs in equipment fitting, fabrication and allied areas, noting GRSE’s simplified online vendor registration process. He said MSMEs are vital partners in GRSE’s journey into Industry 4.0, robotics, AI and sustainable shipbuilding.
Additional Director, MSME-Development and Facilitation Office, PV Suresh Babu, spoke on the ‘State of Industry in Shillong’, and called for greater entrepreneurial capacity, stronger linkages with defence production and assured markets for MSMEs.
He reminded that the Public Procurement Policy, 2014 mandates 25 per cent of all central government procurement from MSMEs, with sub-quotas for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
The session concluded with participants lauding Bharat Chamber of Commerce’s initiative in bridging information gaps and ensuring that government policies reach grassroots enterprises.
