More than 70 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurs from Tuensang, Shamator and Noklak districts attended a two-day Vendor Development Programme under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme at Tuensang Town Hall on February 26 and 27. The event was organised by YouthNet in collaboration with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland, Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC) and the Ministry of MSME. The programme aimed to facilitate business linkages among Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and financial institutions.

Sessions addressed market access, vendor opportunities and awareness of government schemes to strengthen MSME competitiveness, and representatives from the State GST Department, State Bank of India (SBI), Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (NHHDC) and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) provided guidance on compliance, vendor development and credit linkages. Officials also outlined initiatives to promote indigenous products under RAMP’s Naturally Nagaland initiative and explained procedures for Government e-Marketplace (GeM) registration and Amazon seller listing. The programme sought to bridge gaps between producers and buyers and to improve readiness to meet institutional procurement requirements.

Two local entrepreneurs shared experience on business development and practical aspects of scaling operations, and organisers said these case studies aimed to offer replicable lessons for peers. An exhibition of MSME products ran alongside the programme and showcased goods from food processing, handloom, handicrafts, weaving, retail, agriculture and service enterprises. YouthNet indicated that similar vendor development activities will be organised in other districts to build the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Stakeholders said the collaborative approach between government agencies, financial institutions and industry bodies was intended to strengthen credit linkages and market integration for Micro and Small Enterprises. Organisers highlighted the need for continued capacity building to ensure compliance and product standardisation for access to larger markets. The initiative was positioned as part of wider efforts to accelerate MSME performance and support local livelihoods.