“Making Delhi Entrepreneurs Paradise” Seminar held at IITF2023

Dilip Guha, New Delhi: At the ongoing 42nd edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2023 at the capital’s annual event Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (DSIIDC) organized a seminar on the topic ‘Making Delhi Entrepreneurs Paradise’ yesterday i.e 17.11.2023 at the Conference Hall Pragati Maidan. Delhi, being the capital, epitomises the entire nation DSIIDC has played a key role in propelling the development of Delhi by shaping up the Indian capital, a city of some 10 million people. It gives a voice with the tagline of IITF-2023 ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-United by Trade’, an opportunity for prospective entrepreneurs discussed at the seminar by eminent speakers.

Prior to the Seminar, DSIIDC also organized a workshop on ‘Enterprise Development’ to aware and encourage micro-entrepreneurs, artisans, craftspeople, SHG members, PMFME beneficiaries, etc. to set up and run enterprises successfully. The workshop was attended by more than 150 women entrepreneurs. During the workshop, Professor of The Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU), Ms. Meenakshi, and Shri Sheel Kant, Mission Manager, NULM informed about the compliances and challenges faced by the entrepreneurs and the ways to deal with those situations for initiating a business enterprise and to become a successful entrepreneur. While addressing the women entrepreneurs, Shri Shobhit Gupta, Chief Manager, DSIIDC informed about the initiatives being taken by the Delhi government like Developing a Single Window System as a part of Ease of Doing Business, decriminalization of redundant laws, developing districts as export hubs for developing enterprises and entrepreneurship.

The seminar “Making Delhi Entrepreneurs Paradise’ was chaired by Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Govt. of NCT of Delhi.

He highlighted about Start-up policy initiative of the Delhi Govt which will incentivize start-up ventures in Delhi. The policy has been approved by the Cabinet and will be notified shortly, he informed.

The Hon’ble Minister also highlighted measures being taken by the Delhi Govt. for transforming non-confirming industrial areas into confirming industrial areas. He talked about the Delhi government’s initiative of integrating the Entrepreneur curriculum in schools to develop an entrepreneur mindset at the primary level of education. He also emphasized that the Delhi Govt is focused on building an Entrepreneur Ecosystem by simplifying the compliances through the Ease of Doing Business policy. The Hon’ble Minister of Industries also informed that the Delhi government is quite motivated to encourage promoting the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

In his welcome address, Shri Sanjeev Mittal, Managing Director, DSIIDC, informed that 34 services from nine Stakeholder Departments of GNCTD have been onboarded on the single window system in Phase-I of the development plan. In the Phase-II development of the Single Window System, 18 services from 07 stakeholder departments will be onboarded in the coming year.

Shri Saurabh Goyal, Dy Dir of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) informed that DGFT is paying attention to emerging areas like E-Commerce and the policies are attuned to the needs of entrepreneurs venturing into this dynamic space. By tailoring district-specific plans for all 11 districts of Delhi, policy interventions are finely tuned to the unique needs and opportunities that each district presents.

Shri Prakash Mirani, Joint Secretary & Additional CEO, GeM spoke about the importance of the GeM portal in finding marketing opportunities for young entrepreneurs. He informed that more than 50% of orders in GeM have been going to micro and small sellers. There are provisions for raising concerns over biased bids, seeking reasons for rejection of bids, and the advantages of end-to-end digital process in GeM reducing time gaps in acceptance of orders and release of payments to the sellers failing which interest is levied from the 11th day of acceptance of orders. There is a robust grievance redressal mechanism and penal provisions.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Nagawat, Vice Chancellor of DSEU, mentioned that the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) has been instrumental in the last few years in developing programs for budding entrepreneurs. He further informed that the university is focused on the convergence of technology and problem-solving techniques for entrepreneurs. He also informed about various programs being launched by DSEU such as Super 30, a program for retired/ senior citizens, etc.

Prof. S.M. Rounaque Mustafa, Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at Delhi Technical University, stressed the democratization of Start-Up Investment for encouraging entrepreneurs to look up alternative investments. He emphasized that the sustainability of Incubation is a challenge and therefore, he suggested that more and more livelihood incubation centers be created.

Shri R K Bharati, Joint Director, MSME; Shri Ram Meena, GM (SIDBI), Shri Pankaj Vajpayee, Dean, Corporate Relations and Entrepreneurship, IIT, Delhi; Shri Ankit Singhal, CEO Mappes.io and other eminent speakers also shared their views. The seminar emphasized the role of a vibrant start-up ecosystem, the importance of credit guarantees, and opportunities, and the importance of export enhancement to contribute to making Delhi an entrepreneur’s paradise. The eminent speakers shared their valuable experiences in line with making Delhi an entrepreneurs’ paradise and talked about new opportunities that can be exploited by the entrepreneurs of Delhi which will definitely benefit the entrepreneurs.

Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, Executive Director, DSIIDC, in her closing address, informed that suggestions given by the eminent speakers and the vision given by the Hon’ble Minister will guide us in developing infrastructure, easy access to capital, capacity building, skill development, reward and incentive schemes, developing districts as export hubs, etc. and these points will be ensured during drafting of the policies in the direction of making Delhi an Entrepreneurs’ Paradise.

‘Delhi Day’ will be observed on 21st November 2023 at Amphi Theater, PragatiMaidan where the artists of Sahitaya Kala Parishad and a renowned celebrity will perform to entertain the visitors.