The French Entrepreneurs Club of Pondicherry (CEFP) collaborated with the Consulate General of France in Pondicherry and in Chennai, represented by M. Étienne Rolland-Piéguefor the presentation of the RAMP project (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance), supported by the World Bank and the Government of India.
At the CEFP’s request, the Consulate invited Club members along with several external guests, including M. Elango Senthamaraikannan, Director BNI Pondicherry, et M. Rajarajan Rathinavelu, Director, Operations and Policy – EU-India Co-operation Forum, M. Krishna Prathab R V, Hopsticks CEO & Founder, et Mr. Ramachandran KP, Founder & CEO of ErthaLoka, alongside other key stakeholders from the MSME sector, fostering a dynamic exchange between entrepreneurs, experts, and institutional representatives.
During this meeting, the new president of the CEFP, Mr. Gopady Pajaniradja, presented the club and the mission of his term, which is centered on Franco-Indian cooperation and local economic development.
His address was followed by speeches from M. A. Namassivayam, Minister for Industries and Commerce of Pondicherry, then that of M. A. Vikranth Raja, Secretary for Industries, who emphasized the government initiatives and the opportunities offered by the RAMP program.
The RAMP program specifically aims to promote the “Made in Pondicherry” brand, highlighting local expertise and supporting the artisans, producers, and SMEs of the region.
For more information, the Pondicherry Strategic Plan (SIP) can be viewed here.
The discussions with the speakers and members of the government were particularly enriching, allowing us to compare the "four truths" between the announced policies, the different existing schemes and the reality on the ground.
The evening concluded with a friendly cocktail dinner, providing an opportunity for networking between Pondicherry's Indian business actors and the French business community, in an atmosphere of sharing and cooperation.
The CEFP warmly thank M. Étienne Rolland-Piégue, Consul Général de France à Pondichéry et à Chennai, for his welcome, his ongoing commitment to the business community, and for making this constructive event possible.