Imphal: A State-Level Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on “Interest Subvention for women owned MSEs & Logistics Strengthening for MSMEs” was held today at Imperial Hall, Classic Grande, Imphal. The programme was organised by the Directorate of Trade, Commerce & Industries, Government of Manipur under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative, a project supported by the World Bank and the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
Ngangbam Roman Singh, Managing Director, MANIDCO, stated that the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Programme, supported by the Government of India and the World Bank, is a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening MSME competitiveness, improving access to finance and markets and enhancing institutional capacity in the State. Addressing the State-Level Stakeholder Consultation Workshop, he informed that since signing the Letter of Understanding with the Ministry of MSME in November 2022, Manipur has made significant progress in implementation.
Referring to key achievements under the programme, he stated that more than 32,000 MSMEs were registered on the Udyam portal between April 2025 and February 2026. He said that the MSME Help Clinic has been launched to address enterprise-level challenges, and around 600 MSMEs have been identified for adoption of sustainable green production practices.
While acknowledging the progress made, Roman Singh noted that challenges remain, particularly in logistics facilitation and digital infrastructure, which will continue to be priority areas. He said the consultation workshop aims to sensitise stakeholders on the benefits extended under the RAMP scheme and reiterated the vision of building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive MSME ecosystem in Manipur
Kangba Namkoi, State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) Convenor, SBI, stated that since the RAMP scheme is meant for women loan borrowers under the MSME sector, banks have a significant stake and responsibility in its effective implementation. Urging bankers to take proactive steps, he stated that unless banks take the initiative, the scheme will not progress effectively.
Stressing the need for wider awareness, Kangba Namkoi also called for organising similar programmes at the district and grassroots levels in coordination with Lead Banks, District Industries Centres (DICs) and district administrations to ensure that the benefits reach eligible borrowers.
Giving the welcome address, Khwairakpam Deepak, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), MSME, stated that MSMEs are not merely economic units but engines of employment, innovation and inclusive growth, particularly in a state like Manipur. He said entrepreneurs play a vital role in livelihood generation and that strengthening MSMEs remains central to the State’s development.
He informed that under the guidance of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and with support from implementing agencies and financial institutions, efforts are being made to address key challenges such as access to affordable finance, logistics constraints, market linkages and institutional capacity gaps.
Rex Ngangom, Team Leader, SPIU, RAMP, presented an overview of the RAMP programme and its current status in the State, while Manish Kumar Shah, Project Manager, SPIU, RAMP, made presentations on Interest Subvention for women owned MSEs and Logistics Strengthening for MSMEs. The presentations were followed by an interactive Q&A session. Officials, representatives of banks and financial institutions also attended the programme.
