On October 16, 2024, the Rajasthan International Center hosted the Desert Bloom 2.0 MSME Summit and Innovation Expo, bringing together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and
academicians from across the country. The event was designed to promote innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, providing participants with insights into emerging technologies and business opportunities.
Dignitaries and Special Guests: The event featured Mr. Ashok Kumar Pandey, General Manager and Regional Head of SIDBI Jaipur, who delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing SIDBI’s commitment to empowering MSMEs through financial support. Onkar Bagaria, CEO of Vivekananda Global University (VGU), spoke about the university’s significant role in fostering innovation in the MSME sector and addressed key challenges and their potential solutions.
Other notable dignitaries included Dr. K.L. Jain, President of the Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), and Akshaya Goyal, Executive Director of BNI Jaipur-Jodhpur-Alwar-Ajmer. Dr. Deepak Chitkara, Associate Professor at BITS Pilani, concluded the event with a vote of thanks, stressing the importance of innovation and sustainability in driving MSME growth.
Panel Discussions and Key Sessions: The summit hosted a variety of panel discussions and round table sessions covering critical areas of MSME development. Key topics included:
Automotive and Electric Vehicles: Experts discussed the latest advancements in battery technology and the challenges of market adoption of electric vehicles in Rajasthan.
Gems and Jewelry: The future of lab-grown diamonds and customization trends in the jewelry market were explored, highlighting Rajasthan’s potential in this sector.
Green Craftsmanship: This session focused on the use of eco-friendly materials and upcycling techniques, encouraging sustainable business practices within MSMEs.
Food Tech and Agriculture: Professor Hoshiyar Singh, Dr. Muhilan Mahendran, and Pushpinder Singh from VGU shared insights on innovations in agriculture and sustainable farming technologies.
Focus on Innovation and Intellectual Property: A dedicated workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was conducted to inform MSME entrepreneurs about protecting their innovations. This session emphasized the importance of securing intellectual property to
foster long-term business growth. Additional discussions focused on textiles and traditional weaving, pharmaceutical APIs, solar energy, and supply chain management.
Closing Remarks: The closing session highlighted the need to enhance innovation and
sustainability in the MSME sector. The organizers thanked SIDBI and all partners for their contributions and expressed hope for future events that would continue to support MSMEs in overcoming challenges and achieving growth.
The Desert Bloom 2.0 MSME Summit provided local and national MSMEs with a platform to explore new opportunities, enabling them to innovate and compete more effectively on a global scale.