The Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Cell, in partnership with the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, hosted the UNNATI 2024 Awareness Programme in Gangtok on Tuesday, December 03, 2024. The event aimed to enhance awareness of the UNNATI Scheme, strategize its implementation, address challenges, and explore opportunities to maximize benefits for entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Sikkim.

The programme, held at the Commerce and Industries Department's conference hall, was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including Smt. Karma D. Youtso, Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, as the Chief Guest, and Shri D. B. Gurung, Chairman, State Bank of Sikkim, as the Guest of Honour.

Other prominent attendees included Smt. Choden Gyatso, Director, Commerce and Industries Department; Shri Raj Lama, Chief Coordinator, SEED Cell; and Shri Gopal Chettri, Joint Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department.

Senior officials from the DICs, industry representatives, and Shri Santosh Shaw from the Project Implementation Unit – Grant Thornton Bharat LLP also participated, contributing to the programme's success.

Representatives from the lead bank of Sikkim, Chartered Accounting Firms, Homestay Association of Sikkim, Travel Agent Association of Sikkim, SIDBI, Business Community, Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association, officials of executive members of SEED Cell of Sikkim, and budding entrepreneurs also actively participated in the meeting.

In her opening remarks, the Additional Secretary cum Director, Commerce and Industries, gave a brief on the UNNATI scheme, its advantages, and ways it can accelerate industrial growth in the state.

In her keynote address, the Secretary highlighted the pivotal role of the UNNATI Scheme in catalyzing entrepreneurship and fostering economic growth in Sikkim.

She emphasized the importance of building a robust implementation framework that addresses the unique challenges faced by the state while maximizing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in setting up new units as well as substantially expanding existing units.

The Chairman of the State Bank of Sikkim underscored the critical role of financial institutions in empowering entrepreneurs, assuring the bank's commitment to facilitating credit and financial assistance under the scheme in a seamless manner.

Shri Santosh Shaw from Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the UNNATI Scheme, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the scheme's key components, including thrust sectors, general guidelines, and financial incentives designed to drive industrial growth. He also provided an in-depth overview of the Sikkim Industrial and Investment Policy, 2024, aligning its objectives with the broader framework of the UNNATI Scheme.

Additionally, a promotional video showcasing the UNNATI Scheme was presented during the programme.

The closing remarks were given by the Joint Secretary, Commerce & Industries, and the meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

The programme was attended by prominent officials, including Chairman, State Bank of Sikkim, Additional Secretary cum Director, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, Chief Coordinator, SEED Cell Sikkim, and Joint Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim.

Other notable attendees comprised the UNNATI Scheme Project Implementing Unit Team from Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, officials of executive members of the SEED Cell of Sikkim, and representatives from various organizations. These organizations included the Businessman Community, Chartered Accounting firms, Lead Bank, Homestay Association of Sikkim, Sikkim Hotel and Restaurants Association, Travel Agent Association of Sikkim, and the Small Industries Development Bank of India team

The SEED Cell, in partnership with the Commerce and Industries Department, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and stakeholders, ensuring that the UNNATI Scheme achieves its intended objectives of empowering individuals and enhancing economic development in Sikkim.

For more information about the UNNATI Scheme, please contact:

COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT

Government of Sikkim

GRANT THORNTON BHARAT LLP (Project Implementing Unit)

Phone: 8133997092 / 9365423897 / 8826409955

Email: piuunnati.enquiry@in.gt.com

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ISA/SKM/TWB

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2080518) आगंतुक पटल : 282