Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of India’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, exports, and GDP growth. However, many MSMEs face challenges in adopting digital tools, limiting their ability to scale and compete in an increasingly digital-first economy. Recognizing this, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth and the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme), launched Digital Saksham—a pioneering initiative to empower over 300,000 MSMEs across India with essential digital skills.
Driving Digital Inclusion for MSMEs
The primary objective of Digital Saksham is to integrate micro and small business owners into the digital economy. By offering tailored training programs, the initiative focuses on:
- Enhancing Access to Credit: Educating MSMEs on digital financial instruments to improve their ability to secure credit.
- Expanding Market Reach: Enabling businesses to leverage digital platforms for customer acquisition and growth.
- Digitizing Financial Operations: Streamlining business transactions and accounting processes through digital tools.
- Strengthening Supply Chains: Optimizing procurement, logistics, and distribution with digital solutions.
By equipping MSMEs with these capabilities, Digital Saksham aims to unlock new opportunities, drive operational efficiency, and enhance financial resilience.
Implementation Strategy and Outreach
The initiative is designed to impact MSMEs across 25 cities, including rural and peri-urban clusters, over a three-year period. Leveraging CII’s extensive network of 67 offices nationwide, the program employs a cluster-based approach to provide sector-specific training and ensure widespread accessibility.
Collaborative Efforts for Greater Impact
The partnership between CII, Mastercard, and ni-msme brings together global expertise in digital payments, deep insights into the MSME sector, and a strong implementation network. Mastercard’s role is instrumental in bringing best practices in financial inclusion, while ni-msme ensures the training modules address the unique challenges of Indian entrepreneurs.
Measurable Impact and Success Stories
Since its inception, Digital Saksham has made significant strides in transforming the digital landscape for MSMEs. For instance:
- In Karnataka, the initiative reached 36,874 MSMEs across Mysuru, Tumkur, and Bengaluru. Over 6,143 businesses completed digital training, with 4,328 enterprises actively implementing digital solutions.
- Entrepreneurs from food processing, garment manufacturing, and automotive sectors have leveraged digital marketing and payment solutions, leading to enhanced market access and revenue growth.
The initiative’s success is evident in the increasing adoption of e-commerce platforms, digital payment systems, and cloud-based financial management tools among participating MSMEs.
Government Endorsement and National Economic Goals
Digital Saksham aligns with India’s broader economic vision. At the 17th Global SME Business Summit 2020, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for MSMEs and Road Transport & Highways, emphasized the importance of MSMEs in achieving India’s economic milestones. He highlighted how Digital Saksham’s outreach to 300,000+ MSMEs would drive systemic digital transformation, financial inclusion, and sectoral growth.
Conclusion
In an era where digital transformation is key to business resilience, CII’s Digital Saksham initiative stands as a game-changer for India’s MSME sector. By fostering digital literacy, improving access to financial resources, and strengthening market linkages, the program is enabling MSMEs to thrive in a competitive digital economy.
As India continues its journey towards a $5 trillion economy, initiatives like Digital Saksham will play a pivotal role in ensuring that MSMEs remain a vital force in the country’s economic growth and innovation landscape.
References
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