AP’s Strategic Tie-Up With Tata STRIVE To Boost SHGs, MSMEs
The state government promised full cooperation to operationalise the partnership and drive inclusive growth and employment generation.
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday held high-level deliberations with Tata STRIVE to chart a long-term collaboration strengthening the livelihoods of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and accelerating the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the state.
The interactive meeting, chaired by MSME minister Kondapalli Srinivas focused on leveraging Tata STRIVE’s national expertise in skilling and entrepreneurship to create a robust, inclusive livelihood ecosystem, particularly for women artisans and rural entrepreneurs.
Key areas of collaboration, as discussed, included industry-aligned skill development and certification, entrepreneurship development programmes for SHG and FPO members, technology and productivity upgradation, branding and packaging support, e-commerce integration, and facilitation of market access at national and global levels.
Cluster-based development of traditional sectors also figured prominently in the discussions.
The MSME minister proposed focused interventions in high-potential artisan clusters such as Kondapalli Toys, Etikoppaka Toys and the wooden carving SHG cluster at Tirupati, with the objective of transforming them into globally competitive brands that reflect Andhra Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage.
Officials said Tata STRIVE, the flagship skilling initiative of the Tata Community Initiatives Trust, was requested to prepare detailed action plans and financial models, including possible CSR-supported interventions, to ensure measurable livelihood outcomes.
The state government promised full cooperation to operationalise the partnership and drive inclusive growth and employment generation.
Tata STRIVE was represented by its COO, Ameya Vanjari, and senior heads Bijitha Joyce, Kumar Manish, AP project coordinator Santosh Kumar and Santosh Dongre, manager – partnerships.
