Micro Small & Medium Enterprises Ministry to hold entrepreneur camp

In a bid to strengthen Nagaland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and improve access to central government schemes, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, in collaboration with the State Government of Nagaland and the Business Association of Nagas, has announced an entrepreneur awareness camp and special vendor development programme on March 30, at Seden Riju, Purana Bazar, Dimapur, from 9:00 AM.
The programme is expected to draw 200 to 250 entrepreneurs from across the state. The entry will be open for entrepreneurs free of cost.
Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, BAN president Mongkum Jamir said the initiative is aimed at addressing the lack of awareness surrounding central schemes, institutional support, and vendor opportunities available to local entrepreneurs.
Jamir informed that Nagaland currently has nearly 49,000 MSME units in the formal sector, while an additional 30,000 to 40,000 enterprises operate in the non-formal sector. He described the event as a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to directly understand what the National Small Industries Corporation and MSME Ministry have to offer. He further stated that the association has set a target to empower 500 vendors over the next year through sustained follow-up programmes and district-level interventions.
MSME joint secretary Mercy Epao noted that Nagaland’s MSME footprint remains well below the national average, stressing the need for focused interventions.
Epao added that the Ministry will work to identify “low-hanging fruits” in priority sectors that can accelerate industrial growth, enterprise expansion, and youth employment.
A major focus of the programme will be on the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) and related support mechanisms for tribal entrepreneurs.
Epao highlighted the Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS), which provides a 25% subsidy on machinery for institutional loans up to Rs 1 crore.
To address one of the major challenges faced by entrepreneurs—collateral security—she pointed to the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), which offers 90% coverage for loans availed by women entrepreneurs and 75% coverage for other categories, significantly reducing the need for collateral.
“Unless entrepreneurs know about these schemes, they cannot ask banks for the right support,” Epao remarked, underscoring the importance of institutional awareness.
National Small Industries Corporation general manager Rajesh Mittal highlighted the scale of procurement opportunities available to local businesses.
He stated that central agencies in Nagaland procure goods and services worth over Rs 1,000 crore annually, of which 4% is reserved for SC/ST entrepreneurs under the NSSH scheme.
“That translates to nearly Rs 40 crore in reserved procurement opportunities for SC/ST entrepreneurs in Nagaland,” Mittal said, adding that the programme is designed to serve as a bridge between Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and local vendors.
The event will also feature representatives from the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), National Institute of Design, Indian Institute of Packaging, and CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology to provide technical guidance on packaging, design, market access, and value-chain integration.
Epao further highlighted the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative, which aims to onboard 5 lakh MSMEs nationwide, with 50% of the slots reserved for women entrepreneurs, opening significant opportunities for Nagaland’s women-led enterprises.
The programme will be divided into an inaugural session and a technical session, with the inaugural segment expected to be graced by the Secretary of MSME, Government of India.
A dedicated Udyam registration booth will be set up at the venue to facilitate on-site registration for entrepreneurs and help them access government support schemes more efficiently.