CII Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit highlights growth potential
Experts stress skills, market access and policy support for tribal entrepreneurs
Jamshedpur/Ranchi, Dec 12: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the CII Jharkhand Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit in Ranchi with the theme “Rooted in Heritage, Rising in Enterprise.” The summit aimed to boost tribal-led economic growth by improving access to finance, markets, skills and technology. It brought together tribal entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, academicians and development agencies from across Eastern India, creating a strong platform for discussions on entrepreneurship resilience, financing schemes, market readiness and ecosystem strengthening.
Tapas Sahu, Past Chairman of CII Jharkhand State Council and Managing Director of Highco Engineers Pvt Ltd, said Jharkhand’s tribal heritage presents vast potential for enterprise growth. He noted that while tribal entrepreneurs are innovative and capable, they often struggle with lack of awareness about government schemes, financial literacy and market access.
Sahu informed that CII has launched a directory featuring nearly 200 tribal entrepreneurs to offer national visibility and connect them with government bodies, industries and investors. He said such initiatives help bridge gaps, promote collaboration and open new avenues for growth.
Jitendra Kumar Singh, IAS, Secretary of the Labour, Employment, Training and Skill Development Department, highlighted the strong contribution of tribal communities to economic progress. “Around 26% of the tribal population is engaged in various trade initiatives, and inclusive development continues to be a priority for the state,” he said.
Singh outlined the state’s extensive skilling network, which includes 171 ITIs, 781 additional ITIs, 333 PPP centres, six CSR-supported institutes and more than 260 private ITIs offering 9,000 seats across 30–35 sectors. He said the government is modernising curricula, introducing new courses and strengthening training programmes under JSDMS to meet industry needs. He also recommended expanding Finishing and Policy Courses to improve employability and industry readiness.
JIIDCO Managing Director Prem Ranjan said tribal communities are progressing across several development parameters. He highlighted coordination efforts with government bodies and noted that schemes like PM-FME benefit nearly 10% of tribal groups. He suggested compiling all tribal-related schemes into a whitepaper for clearer understanding and planning.
Basant Tirkey, National General Secretary of the Tribal Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said MSMEs and tribal entrepreneurs can significantly drive inclusive growth. He called for simplified processes, improved awareness and smoother payment cycles. He also emphasized stronger national promotion of tribal arts and crafts to unlock new markets.
Aseem Kandulna, MD & CEO of ASR Metallurgy Pvt Ltd, said the summit reflects the intersection of traditional tribal strengths with emerging economic opportunities. He stressed that combining traditional knowledge with modern industry practices can boost productivity, sustainability and innovation.
Eminent Speakers who shared their views during the session included Mr Yashwant Kumar Singh, Lead – Skilling & Entrepreneurship, Tata Steel Foundation; Mr Suman Saurav Sahoo, DGM, NABARD; Dr Saurav Snehvrat, Associate Professor, XLRI; Mr Anishesh Mishra, Consultant, Grant Thornton Bharat; Mr Pankaj Kumar – Team Lead, Grant Thornton Bharat; Mr Mayank Murari, Head CSR, Usha Martin Ltd; Ms Jayashree Choudhury, Head – Contracts & Materials, Maithon Power Ltd; Mr Tauseef Eqbal, Assistant Divisional Manager – HR & IR, JCAPCPL; Prof. Gaurav Marathe, Assistant Professor, IIM Ranchi; Ms Poonam Madhu Tamba, Founder, Go Travels; Mr Ravi Kant Tirkey, Co-Founder & Director, Tribal Matrimony Services Pvt Ltd; Ms Nagishree Mardi, Tirla Gawta Ajivika Mahila Samiti; Ms Monit But Kumar, Field Supervisor, Usha Martin Foundation; Mr Ravi Raj Murmu, Independent filmmaker, Director & Founder, Sawanta Studios and Mr Kapil Toppo, Founder, Mandi Eddpa.
The CII Jharkhand Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit successfully brought together over 210 tribal entrepreneurs, community leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, and industry representatives. The summit also featured an exhibition by 10 tribal entrepreneurs, showcasing their products, innovations, and enterprise potential to a wider audience. Through its focused sessions on “Catalyzing Tribal Innovation: Financing Mechanisms for the Next Generation Leaders”; “Breaking Barriers for Tribal Entrepreneurs” and “Skilling for Scale: Building Tomorrow’s Tribal Business Leaders”, the summit aimed to provide a comprehensive pathway for advancing tribal enterprises.
