Gandhinagar, Dec 27 (IANS): The Gujarat government will be holding a special convention on the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSME) during the Vibrant summit 2019, with a focus on how to access the international market.

MSME's are considered the backbone of the country's economy and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani-led BJP government claims to be committed to its development. During the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit (VGGIS) 2019, there will be a special two-day convention on MSME which will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister on January 19.

Informing the media, D Thara, vice-chairman and managing director of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) said, "There are lots of issues with the development of MSMEs, but the main is how to access the market. There are lots of big companies coming to Gujarat and we want the MSMEs to gain out of it. The two-day convention will provide a platform to them."

"We will be having a Vendor Development Programme during the convention which will provide the visiting international chamber of commerce a glimpse of the manufacturing capabilities of our MSMEs. The programme is basically organized by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) where Gujarat government will act as as facilitator," said Thara.

There will be two sessions, an inaugural and technical one. The inaugural session will have a conclave of international, national and state chambers of commerce. The conclave will create opportunities for increased international business, technology transfer and long term business tie-ups with special focus on MSMEs.

The technical session of the convention will have eminent speakers from IIM-A, IIT Gn, MICA, NID, NABARD, SIDBI speaking on themes like Design technology and management, Credit and Finance, Marketing and Positioning in Global Value Chains Innovations.

"We are looking at developing supply chains to bigger companies. When such big companies are here, the smaller units should gain from them. The MSMEs should develop joint ventures with them and develop their capabilities."

"Maruti is coming here with 45 vendors. Similarly Opal is having five thousand vendors, another five thousand vendors are expected. Gujarat should grab this opportunity."

Till now, 53 international, around thirty national as well as different state chambers have confirmed their participation. The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Camber of Commerce and Industry, Taiwan Computer Association, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), US-India Business Council, BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) will be participating.