FIRST empower MSMEs in Chennai by fostering digital literacy

The Forum for Internet Retailers, Sellers & Traders, India (FIRST India) hosted “Future Proofing of Indian Enterprises”, a digitisation workshop in Chennai aimed at creating awareness and supporting small businesses on the opportunities that will help them go digital and become self-reliant. 
The workshop witnessed participation from Hon'ble Ms. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Member of Lok Sabha, sellers industry body representatives from Tamil Nadu like Chennai Jewellers Association, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA), and Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal, among others, as well as industry players such as Amazon Pay, TATA AIA, MOVIN, among others.
Addressing the event, Ms. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, said, “The state government stands in support of the transformative journey for the MSMEs, ready to facilitate their progress by seamlessly integrating traditional retail with the power of e-commerce and there is a pressing need to promote the adoption of hybrid retail models, strategically leveraging the abundant opportunities presented by e-commerce."
Mr. Vinod Kumar, President, India SME Forum, and Trustee & President, FIRST India said, “Our mission is to empower MSMEs in Chennai by fostering digital literacy and equipping them with the necessary tools to leverage the lucrative $7 billion e-commerce market to create a pathway towards success, enabling MSMEs to expand their reach, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new opportunities in the dynamic world of retail."
Talking about the hybrid retail model, Mr. Girish Krishnan, Director - Rewards and Merchant Services, Amazon Pay, highlighted, “Offline shopping comes naturally to customers but they face challenges in terms of finding the right store, getting all the information, getting to use their preferred payment methods, etc.