World SME Conference 2009 - Delhi to host the largest ever World SME Congress

Delhi would see the largest ever congregation of SMEs from across the globe with over 500 delegates from 5 continents, 60 illustrious national and international speakers and supported by 40 Industry associations on the 16th and 17th of December 2009, at New Delhi.This is the 2nd edition of the World SME Conference , Milagrow Get Set Grow. The conference brings together thought leaders, policy makers, bureaucrats, SME focused organizations and illustrious entrepreneurs to improve the ecosystem in which small and medium businesses operate. In the 2009 edition the overriding theme is “My Vision, My Way”. Speakers and panellists would deliberate upon the best way forward for the SME sector. They would help the SMEs realize the true potential of their ideas and enterprise. Special sessions and master classes have been kept for policy makers and inspiring industry leaders to discuss, debate and suggest on issues related to funding, human resources, marketing & branding, IT solutions, manufacturing best practices, and go-to-market strategies for both, national and international markets.

The event is supported by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the National Small Industries Corporation.

Milagrow Business and Knowledge Solution’s Founder, Mr. Rajeev Karwal, says that “The SME sector, which contributes almost 40-50% of the economic activity has been an underserved, manipulated and much abused sector because of a variety of reasons. Because of misplaced regulatory and business compulsions, the sector never got its due. It is my dream that these hidden jewels of the Indian Industry shine brighter than ever now, especially when the Indian market place is growing. Milagrow as an organization is dedicated to the cause of MSMEs and the World SME Conference which will be an annual feature in the global MSME Ecosystem will play an important role in helping serve this cause better. What the World Economic Forum is to large businesses, The Milagrow World SME Conference will be to smaller businesses.”

Hon’ble Shri. Dinsha J Patel, Minister (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises would be the chief guest and Hon’ble Shri Jyotiraoaditya Scindia, Minister of State, Department of Commerce and Industry, would be the guest of Honour at the conference sharing their vision as to how MSMEs must develop in the coming decade.

Sh. Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, who would also be gracing the conference, commented “We are truly delighted to offer the support of the Ministry of MSME to this grand endeavour. Like last year we are confident that Milagrow will provide immense value to the entire MSME eco-system, in terms of exposing this sector to best in class practices , in all spheres”

Dr. H P Kumar, who heads the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and has played a stellar role in improving the competitiveness of Indian MSMEs said “Milagrow has again displayed their commitment to the MSME space, by coming out with the second edition of their very successful World SME Conference. I am sure that like last year, this will be a truly global conference that will bring forth critical issues in this sector, in addition to policy recommendations for all the stakeholders.”

Dr. Jagdish Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing, Goizueta Business School, USA, who is counted among the top 10 management thinkers from India would especially fly down to talk on “East or West, Growth for SMEs is the Real Test”

Prof Anil Gupta, Executive Vice Chairman, National Innovation Foundation would talk about “Grassroots to Global - resurgence and the growth story”

Mr. Harry Brelsford, CEO, SMB Nation who is considered one of the biggest authority figures on SME affairs and technology in the US, would also grace the occasion along with, Mr. Raman Roy, CMD, Quattro BPO Solutions, Mr. Sanjeev Bikhchandani, CEO, Naukri.com, Mr. Rajesh Jain, Founder and MD, Netcore, Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, Cybermedia, Mr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman, CA India, Mr. Scott Ni, Director of Global Sales, Alibaba.com ,Mr. Anil Srinivas, Head – Marketing, SMB, Dell India, and Mr. Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director, MAIT would talk about IT solutions required for MSMEs and how technology can play a big leveller while going up against giant corporations.

Mr. Dilip Cherian, Founder Partner, Perfect Relations, Mr. Suhel Seth, CEO, Counselage, Mr. Anurag Batra, CEO, Exchange4Media, Mr. Ishan Raina, CEO, OOH, Ms. Meenakshi Madhvani, Managing Partner, Spatial Access Media Solutions and other media stalwarts would talk about marketing on a shoestring, digital media solutions and effective media buying to build strong brands in face of competition from large businesses.

Another special session will explore innovative sources of funding and will feature luminaries such as Mr. Sameer Kaul, Managing Director, Head Branch Banking, Global Consumer Group, Citibank, Ms. Bala Deshpande, Senior Managing Director, NEA, Mrs. Ranjana Kumar, Vigilance Commissioner, Central Vigilance Commission, Formerly Chairperson NABARD, Mr. K G Alai, Chief General Manager North, SIDBI, Ms. Padmaja Ruparel, President, Indian Angels Network.

Lessons from the developed and developing world will be shared by Mr. Bruno Valanzuolo, Chief Technical Advisor, Consolidated Project for SME Development in India, UNIDO, Mr. Pedro Terra, Counsellor Head of Commercial Section, Embassy of Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr. Jardine A Omar, Economic Counsellor, High Commission of the Republic of South Africa and Mr. Daisuke Matsushima, Senior Director – Department Manager of IPR, Japan External Trade Organization through the panel discussion on “Collaborating with MSMEs from developed countries to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs in developing countries”

During the slowdown, a lot of Indian exporters have been hit badly but there are a lot success stories which can inspire the Indian exporters community. The Federation of Indian Exporters Organisations (FIEO) will do just that through their panel on “Organizations which used the slowdown as an opportunity to create fresh success”. Training and readiness of the Indian managerial and technical workforce has often come up as a stumbling block in the competitiveness of the Indian Industry. A high powered panel chaired by Dr. C.S.Venkat Ratnam, Director, International Management Institute, Dr. B.S. Sahay, Director, Management Development Institute, Dr. Anwar Ali, Director, Institute of Management Technology, Dr. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director BIMTECH among others will deliberate on this issue followed by a very special session on "Happier employees, happiest company" by Ms. Arnavaz 'Anu' Aga, Former Chairperson, Thermax

Milagrow Business and Knowledge Solutions is built around the idea of ethical, profitable and sustainable growth through partnering. Promoted by Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Milagrow brings in rich management capital to its clients through its completely unique service offerings. With sharp strategic focus and rich management experience and in starting from scratch and turning around existing businesses, the team at Milagrow is suitably poised, to help the growth-seeking small and medium enterprises.