News & Announcement
ITS Holds Consultative Meeting with Commerce and Industries Department for Sikkim@2047 Vision
Gangtok, August 5 (IPR): The Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS) today convened a consultative meeting with the Commerce and Industries Department and the Sikkim Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (SEED) Cell, under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, ITS, Mr CP Sharma, at the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat to deliberate on the department's long-term vision, ongoing initiatives and strategic priorities for the preparation of the Sikkim@2047 Vision Document.
Member Secretary, ITS and Secretary, Planning and Development Department, Mr Tushar G Nikhare, welcomed the participants and outlined the objective of the consultative exercise. He informed that the meeting formed part of a series of departmental consultations being undertaken by ITS to prepare a comprehensive vision framework for Sikkim@2047.
He stated that the discussions were aimed at understanding the department's long-term vision, ongoing initiatives, innovative interventions, implementation challenges and policy suggestions that would contribute towards the preparation of the state's vision document.
Member, ITS, Ms Namrata Thapa, presented an overview of the Institute and its objectives. She stated that the consultative exercise seeks to formulate a long-term industrial vision aligned with the broader aspirations of Viksit Sikkim@2047 while taking into account the state's unique ecological and geographical characteristics.
She highlighted key focus areas including sustainable employment generation, identification of high-growth sectors, strengthening of the MSME ecosystem, attracting domestic and foreign investment, improving ease of doing business, promoting innovation and technology adoption, expanding export opportunities, encouraging green and sustainable industries, strengthening public-private partnerships, and developing district-specific industrial strategies supported by measurable targets.
She informed that the consultations are expected to culminate in a policy roadmap, flagship projects, investment priorities, department-wise action plans and a strategy to position Sikkim as an innovation-driven, investment-friendly and employment-oriented Himalayan economy.
Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Ms Karma D Youtso, delivered the opening presentation, providing an overview of the department's policies, programmes, priorities and long-term vision. She informed that the department's initiatives are guided by the vision of the Chief Minister of "One Family, One Entrepreneur", with a special focus on promoting entrepreneurship among youth, women and persons with disabilities.
Highlighting flagship initiatives, she spoke about the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyamsheelta Vikas Yojna, under which seed funding of up to Rs 5 lakh is provided to aspiring entrepreneurs in phased instalments. She informed that around 680 beneficiaries have availed support under the scheme, contributing to the emergence of numerous enterprises across the state.
She added that while the department continues to facilitate the growth of existing industrial units, particularly the pharmaceutical sector, special emphasis is being placed on strengthening the MSME ecosystem as a key driver of employment generation.
She further informed that the department has intensified entrepreneurship awareness programmes across the state and established District Industries Centres (DICs) to provide guidance and handholding support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Capacity-building programmes, credit facilitation, market linkages, participation in national exhibitions and e-commerce promotion are also being undertaken to help local entrepreneurs expand their businesses, she added.
She further informed that the department has been facilitating market access for local entrepreneurs through Sikkim Utsav, a flagship promotional initiative that provides artisans, entrepreneurs and MSMEs from the state with a platform to showcase and market their products in metropolitan cities across the country. She added that the initiative has not only enhanced market exposure for local enterprises but has also helped entrepreneurs secure bulk orders, establish business linkages and expand their customer base beyond the state.
Outlining future priorities, Ms Karma D Youtso stated that the department is working towards the development of product clusters, strengthening export facilitation, promoting investment and creating a conducive environment for sustainable industrial growth. She also highlighted the challenges posed by logistics, terrain and connectivity while expressing optimism that ongoing infrastructure improvements would significantly enhance the state's industrial and export potential in the years ahead.
Special Secretary-cum-Director, Industries, Ms Choden Gyatso, thereafter, presented the status and progress of Sikkim's industrial landscape, highlighting policy interventions aimed at promoting industrial growth, entrepreneurship and innovation. The presentation reviewed the implementation of the Sikkim Startup Policy, 2025 and initiatives to strengthen the startup ecosystem through two incubation centres established at ATTC, Bardang and CCCT, Chisopani. It also highlighted Sikkim RISE, a district and state-level ideation and startup talent hunt being organised under Sikkim INSPIRES by the Commerce and Industries Department in collaboration with the SEED Cell.
The presentation further highlighted the phased development of priority sectors and recent developments in trade and connectivity, including the reopening of the Indo-China Border Trade through Nathu La on August 1, 2026, after a gap of six years, and the proposed multimodal trade corridor with Nepal through Chewabhanjyang in West Sikkim to complement the Nathu La trade route.
Emerging opportunities in green manufacturing, organic value addition, wellness industries, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies were also identified as key growth sectors for the state.
Director, MSME, Mr M Ravikumar, presented the mandate and initiatives of the MSME Division, highlighting efforts towards formalisation of enterprises through UDYAM registration, GST and PAN enrolment, large-scale awareness campaigns and capacity-building programmes.
The presentation also covered financial assistance schemes, cluster development, branding and market promotion, export facilitation, infrastructure development, online dispute resolution mechanisms and the implementation of the Sikkim MSME Policy, 2022. Suggestions for strengthening the MSME ecosystem under the Viksit Sikkim@2047 vision were also placed before the members.
President, SEED Cell, Dr Raj Lama, highlighted the importance of strengthening Sikkim's innovation ecosystem through greater availability of risk capital for startups and emphasised the need for enhanced accountability among stakeholder agencies to ensure effective implementation of entrepreneurship promotion initiatives.
He stressed that coordinated efforts among government departments, institutions and industry stakeholders would be crucial in nurturing innovation-led enterprises and supporting sustainable economic growth.
During the interaction, the Members of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim raised several queries and offered suggestions on industrial development, entrepreneurship promotion, startup facilitation, MSME growth, investment promotion and policy implementation.
The officials of the Commerce and Industries Department responded to the queries and elaborated on the measures being undertaken to address the issues raised.
In his concluding remarks, Vice Chairman, ITS, Mr CP Sharma, congratulated the Commerce and Industries Department on the successful reopening of the Nathu La border trade after a gap of six years, describing it as a significant milestone for the state's economy and regional trade.
Appreciating the department's initiatives towards entrepreneurship and industrial development, he suggested introducing entrepreneurship awareness programmes for school students, particularly during winter vacations, to familiarise them with entrepreneurship and government support mechanisms from an early stage. He also offered several suggestions for strengthening coordination among stakeholder agencies, improving outreach of government schemes and further enhancing the State's industrial and startup ecosystem.
He further expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute meaningfully to the preparation of the Sikkim@2047 Vision Document.
The meeting was also attended by Members of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, Dr Bharat Chandra Basistha, Dr Neeraj Adhikari, Mr James Saring Lepcha and Dr Shiva Kumar Sharma, along with officials of the Commerce and Industries Department.
Member Secretary, ITS and Secretary, Planning and Development Department, Mr Tushar G Nikhare, welcomed the participants and outlined the objective of the consultative exercise. He informed that the meeting formed part of a series of departmental consultations being undertaken by ITS to prepare a comprehensive vision framework for Sikkim@2047.
He stated that the discussions were aimed at understanding the department's long-term vision, ongoing initiatives, innovative interventions, implementation challenges and policy suggestions that would contribute towards the preparation of the state's vision document.
Member, ITS, Ms Namrata Thapa, presented an overview of the Institute and its objectives. She stated that the consultative exercise seeks to formulate a long-term industrial vision aligned with the broader aspirations of Viksit Sikkim@2047 while taking into account the state's unique ecological and geographical characteristics.
She highlighted key focus areas including sustainable employment generation, identification of high-growth sectors, strengthening of the MSME ecosystem, attracting domestic and foreign investment, improving ease of doing business, promoting innovation and technology adoption, expanding export opportunities, encouraging green and sustainable industries, strengthening public-private partnerships, and developing district-specific industrial strategies supported by measurable targets.
She informed that the consultations are expected to culminate in a policy roadmap, flagship projects, investment priorities, department-wise action plans and a strategy to position Sikkim as an innovation-driven, investment-friendly and employment-oriented Himalayan economy.
Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Ms Karma D Youtso, delivered the opening presentation, providing an overview of the department's policies, programmes, priorities and long-term vision. She informed that the department's initiatives are guided by the vision of the Chief Minister of "One Family, One Entrepreneur", with a special focus on promoting entrepreneurship among youth, women and persons with disabilities.
Highlighting flagship initiatives, she spoke about the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyamsheelta Vikas Yojna, under which seed funding of up to Rs 5 lakh is provided to aspiring entrepreneurs in phased instalments. She informed that around 680 beneficiaries have availed support under the scheme, contributing to the emergence of numerous enterprises across the state.
She added that while the department continues to facilitate the growth of existing industrial units, particularly the pharmaceutical sector, special emphasis is being placed on strengthening the MSME ecosystem as a key driver of employment generation.
She further informed that the department has intensified entrepreneurship awareness programmes across the state and established District Industries Centres (DICs) to provide guidance and handholding support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Capacity-building programmes, credit facilitation, market linkages, participation in national exhibitions and e-commerce promotion are also being undertaken to help local entrepreneurs expand their businesses, she added.
She further informed that the department has been facilitating market access for local entrepreneurs through Sikkim Utsav, a flagship promotional initiative that provides artisans, entrepreneurs and MSMEs from the state with a platform to showcase and market their products in metropolitan cities across the country. She added that the initiative has not only enhanced market exposure for local enterprises but has also helped entrepreneurs secure bulk orders, establish business linkages and expand their customer base beyond the state.
Outlining future priorities, Ms Karma D Youtso stated that the department is working towards the development of product clusters, strengthening export facilitation, promoting investment and creating a conducive environment for sustainable industrial growth. She also highlighted the challenges posed by logistics, terrain and connectivity while expressing optimism that ongoing infrastructure improvements would significantly enhance the state's industrial and export potential in the years ahead.
Special Secretary-cum-Director, Industries, Ms Choden Gyatso, thereafter, presented the status and progress of Sikkim's industrial landscape, highlighting policy interventions aimed at promoting industrial growth, entrepreneurship and innovation. The presentation reviewed the implementation of the Sikkim Startup Policy, 2025 and initiatives to strengthen the startup ecosystem through two incubation centres established at ATTC, Bardang and CCCT, Chisopani. It also highlighted Sikkim RISE, a district and state-level ideation and startup talent hunt being organised under Sikkim INSPIRES by the Commerce and Industries Department in collaboration with the SEED Cell.
The presentation further highlighted the phased development of priority sectors and recent developments in trade and connectivity, including the reopening of the Indo-China Border Trade through Nathu La on August 1, 2026, after a gap of six years, and the proposed multimodal trade corridor with Nepal through Chewabhanjyang in West Sikkim to complement the Nathu La trade route.
Emerging opportunities in green manufacturing, organic value addition, wellness industries, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies were also identified as key growth sectors for the state.
Director, MSME, Mr M Ravikumar, presented the mandate and initiatives of the MSME Division, highlighting efforts towards formalisation of enterprises through UDYAM registration, GST and PAN enrolment, large-scale awareness campaigns and capacity-building programmes.
The presentation also covered financial assistance schemes, cluster development, branding and market promotion, export facilitation, infrastructure development, online dispute resolution mechanisms and the implementation of the Sikkim MSME Policy, 2022. Suggestions for strengthening the MSME ecosystem under the Viksit Sikkim@2047 vision were also placed before the members.
President, SEED Cell, Dr Raj Lama, highlighted the importance of strengthening Sikkim's innovation ecosystem through greater availability of risk capital for startups and emphasised the need for enhanced accountability among stakeholder agencies to ensure effective implementation of entrepreneurship promotion initiatives.
He stressed that coordinated efforts among government departments, institutions and industry stakeholders would be crucial in nurturing innovation-led enterprises and supporting sustainable economic growth.
During the interaction, the Members of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim raised several queries and offered suggestions on industrial development, entrepreneurship promotion, startup facilitation, MSME growth, investment promotion and policy implementation.
The officials of the Commerce and Industries Department responded to the queries and elaborated on the measures being undertaken to address the issues raised.
In his concluding remarks, Vice Chairman, ITS, Mr CP Sharma, congratulated the Commerce and Industries Department on the successful reopening of the Nathu La border trade after a gap of six years, describing it as a significant milestone for the state's economy and regional trade.
Appreciating the department's initiatives towards entrepreneurship and industrial development, he suggested introducing entrepreneurship awareness programmes for school students, particularly during winter vacations, to familiarise them with entrepreneurship and government support mechanisms from an early stage. He also offered several suggestions for strengthening coordination among stakeholder agencies, improving outreach of government schemes and further enhancing the State's industrial and startup ecosystem.
He further expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute meaningfully to the preparation of the Sikkim@2047 Vision Document.
The meeting was also attended by Members of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, Dr Bharat Chandra Basistha, Dr Neeraj Adhikari, Mr James Saring Lepcha and Dr Shiva Kumar Sharma, along with officials of the Commerce and Industries Department.
