Kolkata Set to Welcome Major SME Summit on September 4

Kolkata, often called the cultural capital of India, is also turning into a strong business hub. With its rich trade history, port access, and rising manufacturing base, the city is ideal for small enterprises. On September 4, Kolkata will host the ET SME Regional Summit 2025, an event focused on empowering small and medium businesses through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Highlights of ET SME Regional Summit 2025

The summit begins with a keynote titled “From handlooms to high-tech: How policy is shaping the potential of Bengal.” This session will spotlight how traditional strengths are aligning with modern industries to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

A fireside chat with Nagaraj Garla, Executive Director of IDBI Bank, will follow. His address, “Catalysing Make in India Growth: IDBI Bank’s Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs,” will provide practical guidance for business leaders.

MSME Transformation: Kolkata 2030 Vision

A key session will be the panel discussion “Kolkata 2030: A vision for MSME-driven economic transformation.”

The discussion will feature:

• Ramesh Kumar Juneja – Vice Chairman, Council for Leather Exports and Director, J.C. International
• Rajeev Singh – Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• Prabir Bhattacharjee – Secretary General, Tea Association of India

Later, Keshav Bhajanka, Executive Director of Century Plyboards India Ltd., will share insights during a closing fireside chat, bringing an industry leader’s perspective to the summit.

Partnerships and Significance

The event, themed “Empowering MSMEs: Driving India’s Century of Sustainable Growth,” is organized by Economictimes.com. It is supported by IDBI Bank as the Banking & Lending Partner, Canon as the Tech Enabler, and Audi Kolkata as the Gold Partner.

This is the third annual edition of the summit series. It started in cities like Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad, and in 2025, it will expand to 20 cities, including Nagpur, Thane, Dehradun, and Noida.

The ET MSME Awards, returning for their sixth edition, will also celebrate inspiring contributions from small businesses across India.

Why It Matters for Entrepreneurs ?

For Kolkata’s business community, the ET SME Regional Summit 2025 is more than an event. It’s a platform to:

• Learn from leaders in finance, policy, and trade
• Build networks with entrepreneurs and investors
• Explore strategies for sustainable and innovative growth

By connecting Bengal’s traditional industries with new-age opportunities, the summit will inspire MSMEs to reimagine their future and contribute to India’s broader growth story.