The 3rd edition of the Small Enterprise Banking & Insurance Webinar took place on November 28, 2023, and provided valuable insights and knowledge to the attending SMEs. Events like these play a crucial role in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering them relevant information and guidance. The webinar was conducted on Airmeet Tech platform.
Small Enterprise India is a leading platform for educating Indian MSMEs and regularly conducts webinars and conferences reflecting a commitment to supporting the growth of businesses in the MSME sector. Continuous educational sessions can contribute significantly to the development and success of SMEs by keeping them informed about industry trends, best practices, and innovative strategies.
These initiatives not only provide SMEs with practical knowledge but also create a platform for networking and collaboration within the business community. Such efforts contribute to the overall growth and resilience of the MSME sector, which is a vital component of the Indian economy.
the Small Enterprise SME Banking & Insurance Summit featured expert speakers, and Gagandeep Singh, Senior Manager of Primary Markets Relationship from the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE India), provided valuable insights during his presentation.
Here are some key takeaways from the session:
Topic: “SME Finance Challenges and Fundraising Opportunities for Growing SMEs on NSE Emerge”
The focus on SME finance challenges indicates an awareness of the specific obstacles that small and medium-sized enterprises face in accessing financial resources. The presentation likely addressed fundraising opportunities, shedding light on how SMEs can overcome these challenges and secure funding for growth.
NSE Emerge Platform: NSE Emerge being highlighted as a platform for growing SMEs reflects its significance as a space for SMEs to list their equity on the stock exchange. Information on the number of companies listed (396) and the capital raised (INR 7800 crores) provides tangible evidence of the platform’s impact and success.
Listing Criteria and Technology Support: Sharing information about who can get listed on NSE and the eligibility criteria is crucial for SMEs considering this avenue for fundraising. The mention of technology support underscores the importance of leveraging technology for a seamless and efficient listing process.
NSE’s Role in SME Empowerment: By providing a platform for SMEs to list on the stock exchange, NSE contributes to the financial empowerment of SMEs, allowing them to access a broader pool of investors and capital.
State Government Support Schemes
The involvement of nine State Governments in introducing schemes to support fundraising by MSMEs, specifically in the form of covering expenditures incurred on IPOs (Initial Public Offerings), highlights a collaborative effort to promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Government Incentives: The fact that multiple State Governments are actively providing incentives indicates a recognition of the importance of MSMEs in the economic landscape and a commitment to fostering their growth.
Support for IPO Expenses: Covering expenses related to IPOs can be a significant relief for MSMEs, as the costs associated with going public can be substantial. This support can encourage more MSMEs to consider listing on stock exchanges like NSE Emerge.
Regional Empowerment: The involvement of State Governments implies a regional approach to supporting MSMEs. Each state may tailor its schemes to address the specific needs and challenges faced by businesses in their region.
Collaboration between Government and Financial Markets: The collaboration between State Governments and financial markets (such as NSE) demonstrates a synergy between the public and private sectors. This collaboration can create a conducive environment for business development and investment.
It was interesting to delve into the details of these state-specific schemes and understand how they align with the broader goal of supporting MSMEs in their respective regions. Overall, this presentation has equipped attendees with practical information on navigating the challenges of SME finance and leveraging the opportunities available on NSE Emerge. The focus on eligibility criteria and technology support adds transparency to the listing process, making it more accessible for SMEs. It’s a positive step towards fostering the growth of SMEs in India.
Jyoti Shiralee Founder Director of Chrysalis Consulting did a presentation on “MSME 2.0: Financial Strategies for Value Creation“. The session covered a range of important topics related to the challenges and opportunities faced by MSMEs, especially in the context of financial strategies and technology adoption. Here are some key takeaways from her session:
Global Disruptors and the Future of Work: Exploring how global disruptors shape the future of work indicates an awareness of the evolving business landscape. This insight can help MSMEs adapt to emerging trends and stay competitive.
Global Economic Scenario and India’s Winning Edge: Understanding the global economic scenario and highlighting India’s winning edge suggests a strategic outlook. MSMEs can leverage this information to position themselves advantageously in the international market.
Startups vs. SMEs Growth Dynamics: Addressing why startups grow faster than SMEs provides insights into growth dynamics. This understanding can prompt MSMEs to examine and potentially adapt elements of startup culture or strategies to enhance their growth trajectory.
Access to Finance and Fintech Support: Recognizing access to finance as a major challenge aligns with a common concern for MSMEs. The emphasis on how Fintech companies support quick financing and drive digitization underscores the role of technology in addressing traditional challenges.
Digitization of the Financial Ecosystem: The acknowledgment of the transformation in the way business is conducted due to the digitization of the financial ecosystem is crucial. It reflects an understanding of the evolving landscape and the need for MSMEs to embrace digital tools for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Industry 4.0 Movement: Urging MSMEs to join the Industry 4.0 movement indicates a recognition of the importance of technological advancements in manufacturing and industry. Embracing Industry 4.0 can enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Fintech Adoption to Bridge Funding Gap: Highlighting the role of Fintech in bridging the funding gap reinforces the idea that technological solutions can address longstanding challenges. MSMEs are encouraged to adopt Fintech tools for financial inclusion and growth.
The session has provided MSMEs with a holistic perspective on the current business environment, the challenges they face, and strategic insights for value creation. Encouraging them to embrace Industry 4.0 and leverage Fintech solutions suggests a forward-looking approach to business development and growth.
We had an International speaker at the Webinar, Vadim Kuznetsov Intl Business Development Manager, Ctrl2Go LLC – Russia. His session on “Geospatial Analytics: Closing Gaps in the Fintech Domain” has shed light on a critical issue in the Indian agricultural sector and the potential of geospatial analytics to address the challenges faced by farmers in accessing credit.
Here are some key points to highlight from his presentation:
Grey Zone in Agriculture Crediting: The identification of a grey zone in agriculture crediting indicates an area where traditional credit scoring methods fall short, leading to challenges in providing financial support to farmers.
Lack of Information Impacting Indian Farmers: The revelation about 27 million Indian farmers being unable to access credit due to a lack of information is a significant concern. This underscores the need for innovative approaches to credit scoring and approval processes.
Data Gap in Loan Applications: The staggering number of over 110 million loan applications that couldn’t be processed due to a lack of data highlights the magnitude of the issue. This data gap poses a major obstacle to the financial inclusion of farmers.
Challenges in Rural Digital Services: The mention of 60% smartphone penetration in rural areas alongside the lack of access to digital services by farmers points to a digital divide. Bridging this gap is crucial for leveraging technology to enhance financial services in rural agriculture.
Unified Earth Sensing in Agriculture: The need for technological services like Unified Earth Sensing in agriculture is highlighted as a solution. This approach can provide valuable data and insights, enabling more accurate credit scoring and streamlined loan processing.
Geo AI Cloud Platform for Yield Estimation: The proposal to harness a multifunctional Geo AI cloud platform for fine-tuning and enhancing yield estimation results suggests a technologically advanced solution. This can significantly improve the accuracy of predicting agricultural crop yields.
Avoiding Loss of Financial Opportunities: The emphasis on leveraging modern techniques to avoid the loss of financial opportunities underscores the potential impact of geospatial analytics in creating more inclusive and efficient financial systems for agriculture.
Vadim Kuznetsov’s insights highlight the transformative potential of geospatial analytics in addressing critical challenges in the agricultural financing domain.
The Small Enterprise SME Banking & Insurance webinar was insightful and well-received by attendees. The overwhelming response reflects the value of the information shared and the impact on the Indian MSME community.
Small Enterprise India is committed to continuously enlightening and supporting the MSME sector.
The announcement of the upcoming in-person event, the Small Enterprise SME Logistics & Supply Chain Summit in Bangalore on December 5th, 2023, adds another dimension to the support and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The emphasis on offering free registration for SMEs demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
For those who missed the previous webinar, the call to action to register for the upcoming event is a great way to keep the momentum going. It encourages ongoing engagement and participation within the MSME community, fostering a collaborative and informed business environment.