The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) organized an awareness programme on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for MSMEs at the ITC Narmada, Ahmedabad. The primary objective of this ONDC awareness program was to empower and equip MSMEs with the knowledge and tools necessary to harness the potential of digital commerce effectively.

Shri S. Ramann, CMD, SIDBI expressed the institution's dedication to supporting the implementation of ONDC, emphasizing its role as a protocol rather than just a platform. He highlighted ONDC's cost-effectiveness compared to traditional e-commerce, making it an attractive option for businesses especially MSMEs. SIDBI aims to offer technical assistance to MSMEs interested in participating in ONDC and plans to collaborate with associations like GCCI for MSME onboarding, with trained personnel facilitating the process.

Shri Pathik Patwari, Immediate Past President, GCCI lauded the ONDC as a game-changer for the Indian e-commerce industry. He emphasized ONDCs role in providing an equal footing to all market players, irrespective of size or resources, fostering healthy competition and driving innovation. Its potential to empower MSMEs and provide valuable data insights on competitors and customers will undoubtedly shape a transformative future for Indian MSMEs, promoting growth and inclusivity.

Shri Shireesh Joshi, Chief Business Officer, ONDC highlighted the unpredictable evolution of mobile technology and drew parallels to the potential trajectory of ONDC in revolutionizing MSMEs. To thrive and cater to a broader market, MSMEs must embrace digitalization. ONDC plays a pivotal role in this transformation, offering enhanced efficiency, customer understanding and data-driven decision-making. The platform provides valuable customer insights, enabling personalized offerings and empowers businesses with real-time data for informed choices.

Ms. Manila Maggo, the Category Leader for B2B at ONDC, delivered a comprehensive presentation to the participants with detailed insights into the workings and features of ONDC. The programme concluded with question and answer and vote of thanks by Shri Sanjay Gupta, GM, SIDBI.