Over 60 entrepreneurs engage in interactive session on market, logistics issues
Srinagar : The Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, organised an MSME Design Awareness Programme at the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology campus in Leh.
The programme, sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, engaged approximately 70 participants, including MSME entrepreneurs, startup founders, students, and stakeholders from the Leh region. The sessions concentrated on the MSME Design Scheme, covering funding support mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and application procedures. Experts emphasized the significance of design-led innovation in enhancing product value, branding, and market competitiveness, particularly for enterprises in remote and high-altitude areas. Key sectors highlighted included pashmina and wool-based products, eco-tourism, organic farming, solar energy applications, and apricot processing. Speakers advocated for structured design interventions and technical support to modernize traditional industries and broaden their market reach. Prof. Binodh Kumar Kanaujia, Director of NIT Srinagar, stressed the necessity of region-specific design solutions to bolster local enterprises and promote self-reliance, noting that innovation-driven MSMEs could significantly contribute to Ladakh’s economic growth. Prof. Atikur Rehman, the Institute’s Registrar, called for enhanced collaboration between academia and industry to foster innovation in Ladakh’s priority sectors. He highlighted the importance of structured mentoring, prototype development support, and capacity-building initiatives to help entrepreneurs transform ideas into commercially viable products and extend their market outreach. Prof. Hanief, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, pointed out that technical inputs and systematic product development strategies could improve the durability, quality standards, and competitiveness of local products. Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Nodal Officer for the MSME Design Scheme, provided comprehensive guidelines on financial assistance and implementation processes, encouraging entrepreneurs to adopt sustainable and technology-driven methods to convert local resources into high-value products. The programme concluded with an interactive session addressing challenges related to market access, logistics, and scaling production, with organizers reaffirming their commitment to supporting MSME development initiatives in Ladakh.
