No Brakes at Nashik

Globally the auto industry is passing through one of its darkest phases; its

evidently one of the sectors worst hit by the tremors of global recession. And

consequently, auto ancillaries being part of the entire ecosystem and

umbilically connected to the fortunes of the auto majors have not been able to

insulate themselves from the impact. The scenario is no better in India; falling

sales, dropping production all point to the troubled times. In the light of what

is already happening the SME CEOs Knowledge Series program on the auto and

ancillary segment, organized jointly by CyberMedia and ICICI Bank in Nashik,

assumed special importance.

The event started with the Finance Clinic where the entrepreneurs were

offered customized expert advice on how to raise capital for business depending

on the stages of business and the optimal level of capital mix and their

business needs. It was through a discussion on a wide array of topics likedebt

financing, private equity, IPO, M&A, forex advice and other risk management

products.

This was followed by a one-on-one mentoring session with the experts from

Marketing and Branding from IIM Kolkata, Taxation from Deloitte, HR, Finance

from ICICI Bank and ERP from SAP. Each entrepreneur was given enough time to

interact with the mentors.

The program concluded with a panel discussion where the panel in addition to

the experts also included successful entrepreneur like Rajendra Bagwe, CMD,

Reliable Group of Industries and Kiran Rakhe, GM SCM, head of Procurement and

Logistics, Nashik Plant, Mahindra & Mahindra to share their experiences and

knowledge with the aspiring SMEs. Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Chandok, head

SME business, senior general manager, ICICI Bank said, Nashik has generous

availability of talent and is rapidly emerging as an important economic zone in

Maharashtra. ICICI Bank is committed to development of SMEs across the country.

SME CEO Knowledge Series is yet another initiative toward ICICI Banks desire to

create a supporting ecosystem for the SMEs in general. In this evolving economic

scenario, the SME CEO Knowledge series will provide expertise to issues of

finance, strategic marketing, taxation etc, thereby helping the SMEs to handle

their current concerns and improve their businesses towards a more secure

future.

Can we change gear to the fast lane again, seems to be what most panelists are asking

Commenting on the occasion, Pradeep Gupta, chairman and managing director,

CyberMedia Group said, Auto component and ancillary sector is one of the major

sunrise sector of Indian economy. Moreover the automotive components industry is

perceived as a lucrative sector with tremendous potential for foreign direct

investments. Nashik already has attracted ample foreign investment and has the

potential for more. The SME CEO Knowledge Series in Nashik is an effort to share

global knowledge and expertise with SME entrepreneurs of auto component industry

of Nashik to enable them to grow to their full potential.

Team DQ



maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in