Aizawl, Feb 12: Chief Minister Lalduhoma today inaugurated the Micro & Small Entrepreneurs Excellence Project in Mizoram and the Mizoram Entrepreneurs Development Forum at the I&PR Conference Hall.

The initiatives are jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry – Centre for Excellence on Employment & Livelihood (CII CEL) and the Government of Mizoram, and are aimed at strengthening MSME owners in the state and supporting those seeking to expand their enterprises.

In his address, the Chief Minister noted that Mizos have long been recognized as a community rich in skills and craftsmanship, with significant potential in the MSME sector. He highlighted that several Mizo youths secured awards at last year’s IndiaSkills Competition, while this year Mizoram participants emerged as Overall Champions at the IndiaSkills North East Championship. As the state continues to develop and employment opportunities grow, he emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing skilled youth. He added that entrepreneurs should be empowered to stand on their own, and that the government’s flagship Handholding Scheme is designed to create opportunities for them.

He further observed that Mizoram’s MSME owners are capable and self-driven, having built their livelihoods through determination and initiative. The newly launched project is intended to help them scale greater heights from their present level. In a rapidly evolving global economy shaped by modern business practices, he stressed that MSMEs must continually upgrade their capabilities to remain competitive.

The Chief Minister underscored the unmatched expertise of organizations such as CII, noting that CII CEL has successfully implemented similar initiatives in other states, often on a paid participation basis. Mizoram, he said, is fortunate that the Volvo Group has agreed to support the program through its CSR initiative, enabling local MSME owners to participate free of cost. He expressed appreciation to both CII CEL and the Volvo Group for their partnership.

The projects aim to equip MSME owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Mizoram with contemporary skills and knowledge, while also establishing a forum for engagement with industry experts. The program will initially run for one year, with 70 participants selected for training.

The inaugural function was chaired by Shalina Thapa, Executive Director, CII. GV Rao, Director (CSR), Volvo Group Trust, and Shivek Gurubaran, Director, CII CEL, also addressed the gathering.