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TSSIA Participates in Development of Industry Associations National Conclave 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Thane Small Scale Industry Association (TSSIA) proudly participated in the Development of Industry Associations (DIA) National Conclave 2025, held on 24th September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, organized by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Centered around the theme “Strengthening Industry Associations to Enable MSMEs: From Local Suppliers to Global Champions”, the conclave brought together leading Industry Associations from across the country to deliberate on strategies, innovations, and collaborative models for the growth and competitiveness of the MSME sector. TSSIA was represented by Mr. Sameer Shirodkar, Secretary – Legal, who actively participated in the proceedings and discussions.

Key Highlights of the Conclave

The event commenced with the inaugural session, attended by eminent dignitaries. Shri Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, was the Chief Guest, while Shri Manoj Ayyappan, Joint Secretary, DFS, was the Guest of Honour. In his welcome address, Shri Manoj Mittal, CMD, SIDBI, highlighted the significance of this first-of-its-kind national platform and SIDBI’s vision under the DIA initiative to strengthen Industry Associations for MSME growth. Shri Manoj Ayyappan stressed the need for associations to create greater awareness among MSMEs about digital loan processing and credit schemes.

Delivering the keynote, Shri Nagaraju Maddirala emphasized the role of MSME clusters in driving India’s economic story and called upon associations to help members evolve from local suppliers into global champions.

A highlight of the session was the launch of the Industry Association Portal, aimed at equipping associations with digital tools to better serve their members and enhance their impact.

Following the inauguration, the conclave unfolded into a series of thematic sessions that provided valuable insights:

• Session 1: Industry Association Best Practices – Scaling Impact through Collaboration and Innovation

This session highlighted successful strategies adopted by leading associations such as Laghu Udyog Bharti (LUB), Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU), and Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA). Speakers emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches, knowledge sharing, and innovative practices to enhance the sustainability and reach of Industry Associations across the country.

• Session 2: Empowering MSMEs – Leveraging Government Schemes

A panel comprising representatives from the Reserve Bank of India, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and Ministry of Food Processing Industries discussed how associations can play a pivotal role in bridging the awareness gap. The discussions focused on enabling MSMEs to access financial, regulatory, and developmental schemes more effectively, ensuring that benefits reach grassroots enterprises.

• Session 3: Learnings from the FPO Model – Empowering Industry Association Structure
  Drawing parallels from the Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) model, experts from Sahyadri Farms, Gurudev Mahila FPO, and Yazali FPC shared experiences on how cooperative frameworks can strengthen industry associations. The session stressed the need for adopting collective models to increase bargaining power, achieve economies of scale, and empower associations structurally and financially.
• Following this, the conclave also featured special presentations, including an overview by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), insights from iSPIRT on the potential of Artificial Intelligence for MSMEs, and a detailed demonstration by SIDBI on the features and utility of the newly launched Industry Association Portal.
• Session 4: Open House Discussion and Action Planning

The concluding session provided an interactive platform where Industry Associations engaged directly with SIDBI experts, voiced their challenges, and participated in polling exercises through a mobile app. The session helped move towards drafting a collective action plan for the year under the DIA scheme, focusing on practical measures for strengthening associations at the ground level.

TSSIA’s Role and Takeaways

By being a part of this first-of-its-kind conclave, TSSIA reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of its member industries and contributing to the broader MSME ecosystem. The insights gained from best practices, government collaborations, and structural models will be leveraged to design impactful initiatives for industries in Thane and Maharashtra. TSSIA also looks forward to utilizing the newly launched portal and engaging closely with SIDBI under the DIA framework to help member MSMEs scale from local suppliers to global champions.