A review meeting of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme was held on July 3, 2025, under the chairmanship of Dr. Yunus, Director, Industries Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh along with the Additional Director Industries, Sh. Tilak Raj
Sharma and Deepika Khatri, Joint Director of Industries.
Dr. Yunus, Director Industries, emphasized the critical role of MSMEs in the economic development of Himachal Pradesh and directed all implementing agencies to focus on result-oriented interventions that will further strengthen the MSME ecosystem in the state.
He also instructed the agencies to accelerate the pace of their activities to ensure timely delivery of programme benefits.
Tilak Raj Sharma, Additional Director Industries, highlighted the significance of the RAMP programme and recommended the adoption of
outcome-based initiatives and effective implementation of the remaining components of the scheme. Deepika Khatri, Joint Director of Industries, also reiterated the importance of coordinated efforts to achieve the program’s objectives.
During this meeting, representatives from various implementing agencies briefed the progress of multiple interventions under the RAMP program, with particular focus on the pre/rural incubation centres established through this initiative. These centres are being
implemented by four agencies: IIT Mandi Catalyst, Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (RCED), Skilllab Resource Services Pvt. Ltd., and The Planet Education Society. Each agency—RCED, Skilllab, Planet Education Society, and IIT Mandi Catalyst.
Central Electronics Limited (CeL), a Government of India enterprise under the Department of Scientific and amp; Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighted the benefits of AI for MSMEs, showcasing how smart technologies can boost efficiency and
competitiveness for small businesses.
NABCONs shared progress on the SFURTI scheme, noting its positive impact on traditional industries and rural enterprise development. They also briefed on the accomplishments under the RAMP scheme to date, including workshops and activities conducted across 11
districts. Additionally, NABCON also updated about the 11 identified clusters under the SFURTI scheme and 4 clusters under the Cluster Development Program (CDP).
The RAMP initiative is designed to empower rural entrepreneurs through a structured approach involving sensitization, capacity building, and bootcamps. The implementing agencies have been actively disseminating information about the interventions, supporting existing MSMEs, and assisting new enterprises with essential tools such as digital literacy, financial literacy, business model development, and marketing strategies.
Agency-wise presentations showcased the successful implementation of key components of the programme, including Sensitization Workshops, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs), and Bootcamps. These efforts are aimed at equipping aspiring
entrepreneurs—particularly youth and local business owners—with practical knowledge and skills necessary for starting and scaling their ventures.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in creating a sustainable rural startup ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh, with the continued support of local institutions, government bodies, and implementation partners.