The District Industries Centre (DIC), Churachandpur, successfully concluded a two-day District Level Vendor Development Programme (VDP) cum Product Exhibition on Tuesday, aimed at strengthening the local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem under the Rising Accelerating of MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme.
Held at the Synod Conference Hall, IB Road, the programme brought together more than 60 local entrepreneurs, creating a focused platform to improve business readiness, expand market access, and connect grassroots enterprises with larger procurement systems.
Focus on Market Access and Compliance
Officials said the programme was designed to move beyond awareness and address the practical challenges faced by MSMEs in hill districts — particularly in areas such as compliance, quality standards, and access to institutional buyers.
Sessions during the two days covered:
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Market linkage strategies for MSMEs
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Quality control and compliance requirements
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Digital onboarding and formalisation
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Opportunities for procurement by PSUs and government agencies
Resource persons emphasised that strengthening these areas is essential for local enterprises to compete beyond district and state markets.
Digital and Institutional Linkages
A key highlight of the programme was the focus on digital onboarding, including guidance on registration, documentation, and online platforms that enable MSMEs to access tenders and procurement opportunities.
Participants were also introduced to mechanisms for linking with:
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Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
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Bulk buyers and aggregators
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Government procurement agencies
Officials noted that such linkages are crucial for ensuring sustained demand and reducing dependency on localised markets.
Boost to Local and Indigenous Products
Special sessions were conducted to promote One District One Product (ODOP) initiatives and other local sector-specific products. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to explore value addition, branding, and improved packaging to enhance the market appeal of indigenous goods.
The accompanying product exhibition allowed participants to display their products, exchange ideas, and receive feedback on quality, presentation, and scalability.
“The idea is not just to produce, but to produce with market readiness in mind,” an official from DIC said, adding that indigenous enterprises have strong potential if supported with the right tools and exposure.
Participation and Capacity Building
The programme saw active participation from entrepreneurs representing diverse sectors, including food processing, handicrafts, small manufacturing, and service-based enterprises. Many participants described the sessions as practical and relevant to their day-to-day business challenges.
At the conclusion of the programme, certificates were distributed to all participating vendors, marking their successful completion of the training.
Strengthening the MSME Ecosystem
Officials from the District Industries Centre said the Vendor Development Programme is part of a broader strategy under the RAMP Scheme to build a resilient and competitive MSME ecosystem in Manipur, particularly in districts with limited access to mainstream markets.
They added that follow-up support and guidance would continue through DIC to help entrepreneurs implement what they learned during the programme.
The two-day event closed with a renewed emphasis on sustainable growth, digital inclusion, and stronger institutional connections, positioning local MSMEs as key drivers of economic development in Churachandpur.