Axis Bank hosted the 10th edition of its flagship MSME knowledge-sharing series, Evolve, in Siliguri, West Bengal, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry experts, and policy makers to discuss strategies for scaling MSMEs under the theme, “MSMEs – Powering the $10 Trillion Economy.” The event featured senior Axis Bank officials, including Mr. Vijay Shetty, President, Commercial Banking Group; Mr. Brejesh Challil, EVP, Treasury Market Sales; and Mr. Ratul Mukhopadhyay, EVP, SEG Assets, who engaged with over 120 participants on credit access, sectoral growth, and macroeconomic trends affecting MSMEs.
Mr. Shetty highlighted West Bengal’s thriving MSME ecosystem, noting that Siliguri is rapidly emerging as a growth hub. “Its strategic location, infrastructure initiatives, and sectoral diversification make it a key driver of economic integration with the Northeast and neighbouring economies,” he said. The program, running for over a decade, has reached 10,000 entrepreneurs across 50+ cities, helping MSMEs embrace technology and enhance operational efficiency.
Siliguri is transitioning from a tea-tourism and transit hub into a vibrant MSME-driven economy. Strategic investments, including four MSME industrial parks covering 123.8 acres with Rs. 80 crore backing and a Rs. 100 crore AI-driven IT/data center, are expected to generate over 5,000 jobs. Its location as a gateway to Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh positions the city as a rising regional trade and business centre, contributing significantly to the state’s industrial diversification. West Bengal boasts over 90 lakh MSME units employing 1.3 crore people, supported by nearly Rs. 9.5 lakh crore in bank credit and multiple government initiatives, reaffirming the sector’s critical role in India’s economic growth.
