Walmart Vriddhi and Government of Tamil Nadu launch program to support local MSMEs to grow with Flipkart, Walmart and beyond

MOU signed in the presence of Shri M.K. Stalin, Hon’ble Chief Minister, to create an ecosystem of capacity building and support for Tamil Nadu MSMEs, enabling them to expand their domestic and export capabilities

CHENNAI, India, September 22, 2021: Walmart and Flipkart today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tamil Nadu’s Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), to establish long-term cooperation for providing capacity building support to MSMEs in the state.  Through the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi), delivered by knowledge partner Swasti, entrepreneurs and small businesses receive training free of cost, through a blended learning approach. The program provides opportunities to join online, offline and export channels, and reach pan-India and global marketplaces as part of the supply chains of Walmart, Flipkart, and other leading companies. The program will also organise training seminars and workshops to further enable growth and development of small and medium businesses in the state.

Launched in 2019, the Walmart Vriddhi program aims to directly train 50,000 MSMEs across India for no cost with the business skills necessary to succeed as suppliers to Walmart, Flipkart, and other global marketplace platforms. Graduates of the program are expected to play an integral role in helping Walmart triple its annual exports from India to $10 billion by 2027. With e-Institutes in Panipat and Agra, as well as a presence in other locations, the program provides a digitally enhanced learning experience through online modules with personalized feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions. Thousands of entrepreneurs are already working through the multi-level training program, and as a result, many are already selling on the Flipkart marketplace, utilizing their digital capabilities, and selling to customers across India.

On the signing of the MoU, Shri M.K. Stalin, Honorable Chief Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Tamil Nadu is home to one of the largest number of MSMEs in the country that are renowned all over the world for their product quality and craftsmanship. Our MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, and their growth is key to helping us achieve our vision of making Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy by 2030. We welcome the MoU with Walmart, Flipkart and Swasti, that shall further strengthen our MSME ecosystem and allow them to expand their businesses through access to online and offline retail.”

Commenting on the partnership, V.Arun Roy IAS, Secretary Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department , Government of Tamil Nadu, noted, “The Government of Tamil Nadu has undertaken various measures to facilitate a favorable ecosystem for MSMEs and enhance their ease of doing business. We are happy to collaborate on programs like Walmart Vriddhi and shall provide our guidance and support required to allow MSMEs achieve greater success through the program.”

Nidhi Munjal, Vice President, International Partnership Services, Walmart, said, “Through Walmart Vriddhi, we look forward to partnering with the Government of Tamil Nadu and supporting their efforts to build a robust MSME ecosystem, by providing potential access to online and offline markets in India and globally as well as providing local training and support, free of cost. We are committed to tripling our exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, and will keep extending our support to small businesses, enabling them to grow and prosper.”

Jagjeet Harode, Senior Director & Head – Marketplace, Flipkart said, “Flipkart has made significant supply chain and infrastructure investments in the state of Tamil Nadu. Furthering our commitment to the state, we have recently launched a dedicated grocery fulfilment centre in Coimbatore that shall generate significant employment opportunities for the youth of the state. Through programs like Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart Samarth, we are committed to empowering Tamil Nadu’s MSMEs, artisans and craftsmen and will continue providing them the ecosystem support they require to grow and benefit through wider access eCommerce marketplace operations.”

Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart are encouraged by the Government of Tamil Nadu’s dedication to expanding growth opportunities for MSMEs and look forward to supporting their efforts by providing potential access to online and offline markets in India and globally as well as imparting local training and support, free of cost.