High-Level India-Brazil Meeting for Micro and Small Enterprises

On March 3, IBREI and the Embassy of India in Brazil organized a High-Level Leadership Meeting of the governments of both countries to discuss collaboration for the development of micro and small enterprises.

The meeting was attended by several authorities, including:

On the Brazilian side:

• Antonia Tallarida Martins – Deputy Secretary of Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Handicrafts, Ministry of Economy

• Carlos Carmo Andrade Melles – President, SEBRAE National

• Tirso Meireles – President, SEBRAE/SP

• Ivan Hussni – Technical Director, SEBRAE/SP

• Wilson Poit – Superintendent, SEBRAE/SP

• Guilherme Campos – Director F, SEBRAE/SP

• Maurício Prazak – President, IBREI

• Milivoje Batista – International Advisor, IBREI

On the Indian side:

• Mr. Suresh K. Reddy – Ambassador of India to Brazil

• Ms. Alka Arora – Joint Secretary (SME Division), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

• Ms. Mercy Epao – Director of International Cooperation, Ministry of MSMEs

• Mr. Supriyo Ghosh – Director (ARI), Ministry of MSMEs

• Mr. Bhaskar Kalra – Deputy Secretary of International Cooperation, Ministry of MSMEs

• Mr. M Kumararaja – Secretary, Coir Board

• Mr. Gloy Swarupa – Director General, National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME)

• Mr. UC Shukla – Director of Export Promotion and International Cooperation, O/o Commissioner for Development (MSME)

• Mr. Sunil Tyagi – General Manager (IC), National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC)

The main objective of the meeting was the sharing of know-how and exchange of information regarding the functioning and work of the institutions involved. During the meeting, opportunities for joint initiatives were identified, and the proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries was put forward.

Additionally, the agenda was set for a second, more technical event, where both countries will further discuss the following topics:

• Integration of Micro and Small Enterprises into the global market

• Exchange of information on public policies, regulatory actions, and programs promoting and supporting the development of MSEs

• Identification of potential sectors for organizing regular B2B business rounds between the two countries

• Sharing know-how regarding credit access programs and entrepreneur protection initiatives

• Other relevant matters