Govt. of West Bengal participates in Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect 2026 in Kolkata

Walmart Vriddhi, in partnership with Ideas to Impact Foundation (i2i), hosted Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect 2026 in Kolkata, bringing together entrepreneurs, government representatives and ecosystem stakeholders to help strengthen the capabilities of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in West Bengal.

The event included participation from the Department of MSME & Textiles, Government of West Bengal, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI); Walmart Marketplace; Flipkart; and other ecosystem stakeholders.

The event focused on practical ways for entrepreneurs to strengthen their business and digital capabilities, understand export readiness and explore opportunities to reach customers in India and internationally. MSMEs also engaged with experts on digital commerce and pathways to market access through platforms including Walmart Marketplace and Flipkart. Through sessions and workshops, entrepreneurs gained insights into business readiness, digital commerce and cross-border trade.

As a major commercial hub in eastern India, Kolkata provides an important platform to engage entrepreneurs from across West Bengal. Through specialized training sessions, workshops and seminars, Walmart Vriddhi aims to help MSMEs build the capabilities they need for long-term growth and greater participation in digital commerce.

“MSMEs are an integral part of West Bengal’s economic landscape, contributing significantly to employment generation and economic development across the state. Strengthening MSME capabilities using digital tools and expanding market access through eCommerce platforms is essential for their sustainable growth. With the right ecosystem of support and opportunity, our MSMEs can scale with confidence, create jobs and build globally competitive enterprises”, said Shri Sumit Gupta, Secretary, Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal.

“MSMEs have significant potential to expand their reach in international markets. By strengthening their understanding of cross-border trade and building the right capabilities, entrepreneurs can unlock global opportunities and further scale their businesses. Use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and schemes under Export Promotion Mission will help them achieve new heights,” said Shri Vishnu Kant, Joint DGFT, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

“West Bengal has a diverse and dynamic MSME ecosystem with significant potential for growth. Through Walmart Vriddhi, we are helping entrepreneurs strengthen their business capabilities, adopt digital tools and explore pathways to new markets. By equipping MSMEs with relevant skills and support, we aim to help them become more competitive and build sustainable businesses,” said Avaneesh Gupta, Senior Vice President, General Merchandising & Fashion Sourcing, Walmart.

West Bengal’s MSME landscape includes established and emerging clusters across handicrafts, textiles, handloom, food processing, leather, engineering goods and jute. Walmart Vriddhi is engaging entrepreneurs across Kolkata and MSME hubs including Howrah, Durgapur, Siliguri, Asansol, Kharagpur and Malda, helping the program reach businesses across sectors and at different stages of their growth journeys.

Walmart Vriddhi is designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are and support where they aspire to go. The program combines digital skilling, marketplace enablement, personalized mentorship and on-ground support to help MSMEs build stronger and more sustainable businesses.

Training covers areas including finance, marketing, workforce management and environmental sustainability, helping entrepreneurs develop the capabilities they need to grow and compete in an evolving marketplace.

Since its launch in 2019, Walmart Vriddhi has trained more than 115,000 MSMEs across India. With an aim to support a total of 170,000 MSMEs by 2028, the program continues to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities and help businesses explore opportunities across domestic and international markets.