A focused awareness programme on the MSME Competitive Lean Scheme (MCLS) was held on 10th September, 2025 at Emerald Hall, NOCCI Business Park, Balasore. The event was organised by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, in collaboration with SIDBI under its PROMO scheme. The objective of the programme was to create awareness among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) about the adoption of lean tools and cluster approaches for improving efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.
The programme was graced by several distinguished guests, including Shri Shyama Prasad, Deputy Director, NPC Bhubaneswar, Dr. Barada Prasanna Sahu, Manager, KIIT-TBI, Shri Suramya Mishra, Manager, KIIT- TBI, Shri Swastibh Mishra, Assistant Manager, SIDBI Balasore. The session began with Registration, followed by a Welcome Address from Shri C. P. Bhartia (Member, Board of Trustees, NOCCI), who highlighted the urgent need for MSMEs to adopt lean practices in order to remain competitive in the rapidly changing industrial environment.
Delivering the keynote, Shri Shyama Prasad introduced the MSME Competitive Lean Scheme and explained its benefits. He stressed that lean methodologies not only reduce waste but also improve process quality and productivity, enabling MSMEs to compete in domestic as well as global markets.
The technical session was conducted by Dr. Barada Prasanna Sahu, who explained various Lean Tools such as 5S, Kaizen, and Standard Work, demonstrating how these tools can streamline operations and reduce inefficiencies in MSMEs. He encouraged enterprises to implement these methods systematically for long-term benefits. Following this, Shri Suramya Mishra elaborated on the Cluster Approach. He motivated the participants to form Groups of Enterprises (GoEs), emphasizing that collective action could help MSMEs share resources, standardize processes, reduce costs, and enhance bargaining power in markets. His session inspired several participants to explore collaborative models for growth.
Later, Shri Swastibh Mishra delivered a detailed presentation on the SIDBI- PROMO Scheme. He highlighted the financial support, promotional incentives, and developmental opportunities available for MSMEs, encouraging them to leverage the scheme for adopting lean practices.
An engaging Q&A Session followed, where participants interacted with experts and sought clarifications on scheme implementation, funding processes, and collaborative opportunities. The discussions created a strong sense of motivation among the attendees. The programme concluded with a Closing & Vote of Thanks by Shri Aditya Behera, Joint Secretary, NOCCI, who appreciated the contributions of all dignitaries, speakers, and participants. He encouraged entrepreneurs to adopt lean practices and cluster approaches for achieving sustainable growth. The event ended with a Networking Lunch, which provided an informal platform for participants to share experiences and build new collaborations. The workshop emerged as a milestone initiative, equipping MSMEs of the region with practical knowledge on lean practices and cluster-based growth. With the active involvement of experts, financial institutions, and industry leaders, the programme laid a strong foundation for building a competitive, collaborative, and globally ready MSME ecosystem in Odisha.
Glimpses
