Empowering North-East India's MSMEs for Export Competitiveness
Background
UNDP, in collaboration with Exim Bank, spearheaded a project titled “Capacity Building of the MSMEs in North East India for Export Competitiveness.” The unique socio-economic landscape of the North-East Region was the focal point, where despite contributing only 1.5% of the country’s MSMEs, the informal manufacturing sector, an integral part of MSME, contributed nearly 62% to industrial output.
Challenges and Objectives
Facing stiff competition from both internal and external counterparts and grappling with issues like poor infrastructure, inadequate capital, and limited market linkages, the MSMEs in the region needed support. The project aimed to harness the export potential of existing MSMEs within industrial clusters of Assam and Mizoram, while simultaneously fostering a robust export promotion ecosystem.
Global Synergizers’ Role
UNDP entrusted Global Synergizers to orchestrate the Buyers-Sellers meet in the Agriculture, Handloom, and Handicraft sector, pivotal components of the North-East’s economy. The primary goals were to onboard institutional/individual buyers and sellers on the AgroLoomCraft portal, facilitate interactions, and strengthen export-related engagement.
Methodology:
The assignment unfolded in a three-tiered process, focusing on buyers’ identification and onboarding, sellers’ identification and onboarding, and finally, the organization of the Buyers Sellers meet.
> Buyers Onboarding: Buyers were identified through both secondary research and networks of handicraft, handloom, and agriculture experts. A stringent criteria-based approach ensured alignment with the North-East region’s interests and the product catalogue. A cohort of 60 buyers was identified, out of which 20 were successfully onboarded onto the AgroLoomCraft portal.
> Sellers Onboarding: Global Synergizers actively collaborated with UNDP to identify sellers through a mix of existing lists and secondary research. A comprehensive database of 204 sellers emerged. A targeted awareness campaign was launched, comprising awareness calls and WhatsApp campaigns, which ultimately led to 28 sellers successfully onboarded on the portal.
> Buyers-Sellers Meet: Given the pandemic context, a hybrid approach was adopted for the meet. It was segmented into two days, each focusing on distinct sectors. 24 sellers, nurtured by the UNDP project, were invited along with 17 buyers with specific interest alignment. Whether virtual or physical, each interaction was facilitated by a UNDP or Global Synergizers representative, optimizing the buyer-seller connection.
Key Achievements
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- 21 buyers registered on the AgroLoomCraft portal.
- 17 buyers effectively connected with relevant sellers.
- 11 buyers expressed specific needs or requested samples.
- 9 letters of intent were signed, indicating intent for future business collaboration.
- 1 successful business transaction was conducted.
Conclusion and Impact
The strategic orchestration of the Buyers-Sellers meet reinforced the project’s commitment to uplift the North-East’s MSMEs. By aligning buyers and sellers, fostering connections, and driving business intent, Global Synergizers effectively bolstered the export promotion ecosystem. This initiative not only resulted in immediate business transactions but also set the stage for long-term collaboration, thereby contributing to the sustainable growth of the region’s MSMEs.
Future Collaborations
This success story highlights Global Synergizers’ proficiency in executing complex assignments that promote regional economic growth. Their ability to identify synergies among stakeholders, manage logistics, and drive impactful outcomes positions them as a trusted partner for similar projects.
Call to Action
Socion (Global Synergizers) is committed to harnessing its expertise and network to facilitate collaborative initiatives that drive economic growth. We invite organizations and institutions to explore collaborations and leverage our strengths for future projects. Contact us at contact@socionimpact.com to discuss how we can work together to create transformative impact.
