Walmart, Flipkart partners with Telangana to upskill, support local MSMEs

Retail giant Walmart and ecommerce giant Flipkart have signed an MoU with The Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, to create an ecosystem aiding capacity building for MSMEs in the state. 

The MoU signed between Swasti and The Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, has been linked to facilitate the development of local MSMEs towards accessing a wider domestic marketspace, leverage online retail and enable sustained growth and commercialisation.

According to the company's statement, Walmart will extend its support to help MSMEs digitise their businesses and fuel capacity building for the state of Telangana, enabling MSMEs to be a part of the offline and online domestic supply chains.

In partnership with Swasti, Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi) offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a complete learning platform and provides free training, in-depth expert assistance, and tailored tools and skills required to grow and expand their businesses.

To facilitate the expansion and improvement of small and medium enterprises, training seminars and mentoring sessions are conducted regularly. MSMEs are now registering for the programme from tier 2 and tier 3 cities across India, along with key cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Panipat and Kolkata.

The company claimed that over 32,000 MSMEs have completed training under the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, said, “MSMEs from different parts of Telangana are flourishing and bringing recognition to our state. MSMEs form a strong backbone to the country’s economy, and it’s crucial that we help them scale up and equip them with digital tools and technology to promote their business growth. We are happy to collaborate with Walmart Vriddhi to provide guidance and the support required to strengthen MSMEs and achieve greater success through the programme.”

Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Supplier Development, Walmart, said, “We launched Walmart Vriddhi in 2019 with the intention to equip 50,000 Indian MSMEs with the skills necessary to succeed in business. From streamlining supply chains to implementing data-driven insights, these skills enable them to make informed decisions, identify emerging trends, and seize opportunities for innovation and expansion. Through Vriddhi, we are committed to empowering MSMEs with comprehensive learning opportunities to level the playing field and help ensure that MSMEs can not only survive but also thrive. 32,000 MSMEs to date have embraced the digital route, and it is a testament to the power of equipping them with future-ready skills.”

Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, “Telangana is an important market for us and home to thousands of MSMEs, some of whom have already benefitted from our expanded pan-India reach. We want to sustain this momentum, support the state’s artisans, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs, and provide them with a thriving ecosystem to flourish and profit. We are happy to be a part of this initiative and extend our help.”

Joseph Julian, Programme Director, Swasti, said, “The development and expansion of MSMEs in the state will be aided by this relationship with the Telangana government. Through the Vriddhi initiative, we are dedicated to helping MSMEs become more resilient for the future and supporting their participation in local and national supply chains.”

Also Read:

• Union Bank of India partners with IBM to co-create Digital Business Platform