Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Director of NIFT Gandhinagar, delivered a keynote address during the Capacity Building Programme for the MSME sector, organized by Rajesh Bheda Consultant at the Ahmedabad Management Association. The session focused on the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities within the Textile and Apparel industries, highlighting the government’s integrated 5F strategy—Farm, Fiber, Factory, Fashion, and Foreign—as a framework for seamless value chain development and economic growth.

Dr. Sood emphasized the vital contribution of the farm sector to the GDP and its central role in the 5F strategy. He noted the strong performance of the MSME sector, which accounts for 29% of the GDP, while pointing out the pressing need to address challenges in the garment manufacturing segment of the apparel industry to boost its global competitiveness.

Highlighting the economics of the apparel trade, Dr. Sood provided actionable insights for entrepreneurs and stakeholders. He shared examples of successful brands and practical case studies to illustrate strategies for navigating market dynamics and fostering sustainable growth.

In the digital era, e-commerce emerged as a significant growth avenue for MSMEs, enabling cost-effective customer connections both locally and globally. Dr. Sood praised the government’s pro-business policies for fostering a conducive environment for innovation and scalability within the MSME ecosystem.

He also underscored the minimal investment required to enter the MSME sector, with reports from the Planning Commission and NITI Aayog indicating that functional MSME units can be established with an investment as low as ₹50 lakhs. However, he cautioned that the sector must prioritize efficiency, innovation, and value creation to meet competitive standards and maximize its potential.

The event provided a vital platform for engaging with MSME stakeholders, exploring transformative strategies, and encouraging collective efforts to elevate the textile and apparel industries within the MSME framework.

AP/GP/JD

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