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