Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect 2026 in Kolkata Focuses on Digital Growth and Export Readiness for West Bengal MSMEs

Entrepreneurs, government agencies and industry stakeholders discuss digital commerce, market access and export opportunities at Kolkata event

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

The event focused on helping MSMEs improve business capabilities, strengthen digital readiness, understand export opportunities and expand access to domestic and international markets through digital commerce platforms.

Government and Industry Participation

The programme was attended by representatives from:

• Department of MSME & Textiles, Government of West Bengal
• Government of West Bengal
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
• Walmart Marketplace
• Flipkart
• Other ecosystem stakeholders

The sessions covered business readiness, digital commerce, export preparedness and cross-border trade, while entrepreneurs also explored market access opportunities through platforms including Walmart Marketplace and Flipkart.

Focus on Digital Commerce and Business Growth

The event featured training sessions, workshops and seminars aimed at helping MSMEs strengthen their digital capabilities and prepare for long-term business growth.

As one of eastern India's major commercial centres, Kolkata provided a platform to engage entrepreneurs from across West Bengal and support businesses seeking to expand into new markets.

Officials Highlight MSME Development

"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.

Programme Expands Across West Bengal

The initiative is engaging entrepreneurs across Kolkata and MSME hubs including:

• Howrah
• Durgapur
• Siliguri
• Asansol
• Kharagpur
• Malda

The programme aims to support businesses across sectors including handicrafts, textiles, handloom, food processing, leather, engineering goods and jute.

Training Covers Business and Sustainability

Walmart Vriddhi combines digital learning with mentorship, marketplace enablement and on-ground support to help MSMEs strengthen their operations.

Training modules include:

• Finance
• Marketing
• Workforce management
• Environmental sustainability
• Digital commerce
• Export readiness

The programme is designed to help entrepreneurs improve competitiveness while exploring growth opportunities in domestic and international markets.

Programme Reach

Since its launch in 2019, Walmart Vriddhi has trained more than 115,000 MSMEs across India.

The initiative aims to support a total of 170,000 MSMEs by 2028, continuing its focus on building entrepreneurial capabilities and expanding market access.