PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry in association with United Nations Development Programme organised a Regional Workshop on Green Transition to Empowering MSMEs for a Sustainable Growth at PHD House, Chandigarh. The main objective of the session was to discuss the issues, challenges and readiness of MSMEs to navigate key compliance requirements in the context of green transition. While welcoming the delegates, Mr.Vikas Verma, Regional Head, North Region, UNDP highlighted that India is at the forefront of climate change, there remains a need for concerted action. He also mentioned that the workshop will help establish a clear understanding of the necessary steps for a seamless transition to a green economy.
On this occasion, Mr. R S Sachdeva, Chair, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI reaffirmed PHDCCI’s steadfast commitment to organizing capacity-building sessions for MSMEs. He stated that this workshop represents a concerted effort towards a collective commitment to fostering sustainable development and empowering MSMEs to adopt green practices and technologies. While setting the context on Green Transitions (Case Study of Jharkhand), A.K. Rastogi, IFS (Retd.), Chairman- Task Force- Sustainable Just Transition & Green Hydrogen Mission, Government of Jharkhand emphasized that the focus should extend beyond decarbonization to include the promotion of energy efficiency. He also highlighted several key parameters that the Government of Jharkhand is currently addressing in relation to the energy transition, including sustainable mobility and capacity building.
The Guest of Honour, C. G. Rajini Kaanthan, IAS, Director General, Directorate of MSME, Government of Haryana commended PHDCCI for its dedication to supporting and guiding MSMEs. He noted that workshops like this centered on sustainability are equally beneficial for Government departments as they are for MSMEs, highlighting the mutual advantages of such initiatives. Guest of Honour, Mr. DPS Kharbanda, IAS, Administrative Secretary (IP) & CEO- Invest Punjab & Director, Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab stated that the industry must be flexible, adaptable, and prepared for change to achieve sustainable growth. He also outlined some of the fiscal incentives being offered to MSMEs in Punjab under the New Punjab Industrial Policy 2022 and invited suggestions on how these incentives can be enhanced to promote greater sustainability.
Prof. Kshitij Awasthi, Chairperson, Centre for Public Policy, IIM Lucknow; Prof. Priyanshu Gupta, Assistant Professor, Business Sustainability, IIM Lucknow, Mr. Sarabjot Singh Saini, Mitigation Analyst, Action for Climate and Environment, UNDP shared their expert views during the programme. Mr. Parv Arora, Convener, Regional Power and Renewable Energy Committee, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI drew attention to the need for the industry to address compliance issues to support the green transition. Ms. Bharti Sood, Regional Director (Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh), PHDCCI moderated the session while Mr. Nishchaiy Behl, Convener, Regional Tourism and Hospitality Committee, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI proposed Vote of thanks on the occasion. Mr.Sanjeev Singh Sethi, Co-Chair, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI was also present on the occasion. The session was attended by over 100 delegates from associations and various industrial houses of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh
