To expand procurement and marketing horizons for micro, small, and medium enterprises, the MSME Development and Facilitation Office (MSME-DFO), Chennai—a field outfit of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India—launched "MSME Connect 2026-Tiruchirappalli" today. The two-day national-level Vendor Development Programme cum Industrial Exhibition is being hosted at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Trichy, on July 31 and August 1, 2026, in association with NIT Trichy, the Federation of Associations of Small Industries in India (FASII), and local MSME associations. The core objective of the event is to strengthen marketing support and ensure the effective implementation of the Public Procurement Policy of the Government of India.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Ms. Kamini, Commissioner of Police, Trichy, in the presence of distinguished guests of honor, including Dr. G. Aghila, Director of NIT Trichy, Dr. V. Palanimuthu, Director of NIFTEM Thanjavur, Chief General Managers from BHEL, OFT, and HEPF, along with MSME association leaders. Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Amelia Betsy C, Deputy Director, MSME-DFO, Chennai, set the stage for dignitaries to highlight the vital growth potential and vendor opportunities for small businesses across the Trichy industrial cluster.

The event features over 30 major exhibitors spanning PSUs, central and state government departments, financial institutions, and key procuring agencies, including Southern Railway, ISRO, NLC, CPCL, AAI, SIDBI, GeM, NSIC, StartupTN, and various commercial banks. Alongside the exhibition, senior PSU officials are conducting technical seminars detailing specific product requirements and procurement protocols. On its opening day, the programme recorded a footfall of over 1,000 entrepreneurs and research scholars. Local MSMEs, startups, and prospective entrepreneurs in and around Trichy are encouraged to participate on the final day to leverage these direct supply-chain integration opportunities.

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