Over 3,670 MSMEs have benefited from vendor development programmes held so far, Minister Mathan Raja

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister (MSME) P. Mathan Raja on Friday said through 12 vendor development programmes held in major industrial centres including Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore, more than 3,670 MSMEs had interacted directly with public sector undertakings and benefitted from the programme.

He was speaking at the inaugural event of vendor development programmes for MSMEs, organised by FaMe TN, functioning under the MSME department in Thoothukudi. District Collector Vishu Mahajan presided over the event.

The Minister said the event organised in Thoothukudi was the 13th vendor development programme in the State and a total of 18 programmes were planned across the State. He added that more than 43 lakh MSMEs operate in Tamil Nadu and play a key role in industrial development and employment generation.

Highlighting that as per the State budget, ₹2,141 crore had been allocated this year to strengthen MSMEs in Tamil Nadu, he added that another ₹600 crore had been allocated under the capital subsidy scheme to encourage industrial investments.

The Minister further said, “Tamil Nadu has set a transformative target of becoming a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036. This target can be achieved only when large industries and MSMEs work together.”

He noted that opening up of vendor networks of the public sector undertakings would help create a self-sustaining economic cycle in the southern region.

He also urged the MSMEs to adopt technology and improve their competitiveness, while calling upon public sector undertakings to integrate capable local industrial units.

“There is no shortage of talent or hard work among entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu. It is the responsibility of the government to open necessary doors and show them the right path,” he said.

Around 120 representatives of MSMEs from Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Kanniyakumari districts participated in the programme.