Enabling thought leadership in the MSME sector

Medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) not only provide economic value for any country’s GDP, but also hold tremendous social value. The UN has recognised the contribution of MSMEs in achieving various sustainable development goals, and in 2017 even declared 27 June as MSME Day to raise awareness on the significant work they do to reduce poverty, empower women, provide decent work for all and encourage sustainable economic growth, among others. 

In recognition of the crucial role they play and their requirements, the Government of India  has introduced a variety of schemes to give them a boost: Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, Capacity Building of First-Time MSME Exporters (CBFTE) scheme, and new features of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), to help them navigate key challenges like credit and financing availability, access to skills and technology, information and details to complete more effectively in the market, etc. 

Also helping MSMEs with their growth is Gati-KWE, whose specialised logistics offerings are designed to expand their reach and customer base across the country.  

In addition to excellent logistics solutions, Gati-KWE in an attempt to enable growth for the sector, has been supporting summits and conclaves focussed on MSMEs. Recently the Uttar Pradesh SME Sammelan held in the state’s capital city Lucknow, from 27th to 29th June 2022, and the SME Manufacturing Summit in Mumbai on 16 July 2022, were supported by Gati-KWE. Both platforms enabled thought leadership, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities for MSMES.

Encouraging thought leadership

At the UP SME Sammelan various sectoral leaders came together to share insights. Minister of State in Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises – Government of India, Mr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, discussed government plans to simplify credit flow for MSMEs. Other topics that were discussed included improved MSME capabilities for international trade.

While at the SME Manufacturing Summit, the focal point of discussion was strengthening SMEs for better business growth, strategies and initiatives for improving capacities and capabilities of the SME sector, the role and responsibilities SME Sector and the challenges, opportunities, trends and developments.

Challenges of the MSME sector

Such opportunities to share and discuss solutions for the MSME sector become all the more relevant in the face of persistent challenges. Along with the lack of access to credit and financing, MSMEs face various challenges that pertain to logistics such as rising customer expectations based on trends set by the e-commerce industry for time urgent requirements for same day delivery, or next day deliveries. They also grapple with the inability to provide end-to-end services and solutions, which is what businesses are looking for today, in order to build resilience and complete visibility across their supply chains. Further, they need to protect themselves against supply chain disruptions caused by global circumstances and their impact on domestic supply chains in terms of demand-supply fluctuations. Finally, the lack of infrastructure – especially the ability to reach into the country’s hinterlands can inhibit the growth of business. 

Solutions

Logistics companies, such as Gati-KWE – a veteran in the Indian logistics scene, see value in partnering SMEs to strengthen them with reach into the country’s hinterlands and easily accessible digital logistics solutions as Gati Genie, which allows PIN Code service checks, track and trace and more through WhatsApp – the most commonly used messaging app in India. 

“What the SME sector needs is consideration and collaboration. Consideration because one has to understand that they are entrepreneurs and dreamers. They have the desire but may need support in developing the right acumen, infrastructure or capabilities. This is why collaboration is required to help them stand on their own feet. Gati-KWE and the entire Allcargo Group believe in joining forces as reliable partners for these SMEs. We are here to bolster them with end-to-end integrated logistics solutions that will not only give their business the reach they are looking for but also the flexibility they need while navigating diverse markets and constantly evolving business environments”, says Mr. VS Parthasarathy, Vice Chairman – Allcargo Logistics.

MSMEs have diverse logistics requirements, which need unique solutions and a partner with capabilities to customize and modify them to mitigate specific logistics challenges. With more than three decades of experience in express distribution, air freight and a combination of surface and air express for time-sensitive and urgent cargo, players like Gati-KWE can truly simplify the complexities for MSMEs. They can rely on Gati-KWE’s promise of excellence, which the organization delivers as a result of its process and operations optimization, adoption of digital tools and technology, tie-ups with leading airlines for air freight movements, and more. 

The Government of India’s Gati Shakti masterplan slated to create robust infrastructure for seamless coordination between multimodal transport in India, is likely to further add to the strengths of SMEs by helping them leverage Gati-KWE’s expertise across a much wider spectrum of logistics verticals and coverage spanning more than 19,800 PIN Codes in 735 of 739 districts in the country.

Conclusion

Indeed, getting the right kind of logistics support could be a defining factor for the growth of an MSME, enabling it to not only prosper and develop the surrounding areas economically, but also socially. Backed by committed logistics leaders like Gati-KWE, they have the potential to make a significant contribution towards achieving India’s ambitious target of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.