The Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (Tahdco) took a significant step to bolster entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities by organizing a dedicated vendor development and business workshop. The event was held at a private hall in Trichy on Saturday, marking a focused effort to enhance business capabilities.
Embracing New-Age Business Strategies
Addressing the participants, KS Kandasamy, the Managing Director of Tahdco, emphasized the critical need for local entrepreneurs to adapt to modern business landscapes. He urged them to integrate new-age technology, effective branding, and digital marketing techniques into their operations to both retain existing clients and attract new ones. A key highlight of his address was the Annal Ambedkar Business Champion Scheme (AABCS), a government initiative designed specifically to support SC and ST entrepreneurs by aiding in product marketing and skill upgrades.
Practical Guidance from Industry and Government
The workshop provided practical, actionable insights for the attendees. Entrepreneurs received advice on improving product packaging and brand promotion. They were also encouraged to enroll in financial management certification programmes to better handle their business finances. In a major boost for vendor opportunities, representatives from major public sector undertakings like Bhel, NLC, and TNPL were present. They detailed the vendor registration procedures and potential opportunities within their respective organizations.
Furthermore, dedicated sessions were conducted to guide entrepreneurs through the process of registering on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. This platform is crucial for accessing a wider government procurement market.
Expanding Reach Across Tamil Nadu
The Trichy workshop is just the beginning of a broader outreach initiative. Recognizing the need for widespread empowerment, Tahdco has announced plans to conduct similar workshops in Coimbatore, Vellore, and Tirunelveli. This series aims to equip a larger number of SC and ST entrepreneurs across the state with the tools and knowledge necessary to scale their businesses and compete effectively in the market.
The event underscored a clear roadmap for growth: combining government scheme benefits like AABCS with practical skills in digital marketing, financial management, and formal vendor registration to create sustainable and scalable enterprises within these communities.
