By Reporting News World Desk | Chandigarh | Published: August 21, 2026
A unique multi-stakeholder platform in Chandigarh brings together industry, defense, and investment leaders to transform local MSMEs into global supply chain powerhouses.
The city of Chandigarh, strategically situated as a gateway to the vibrant Northern Indian economic corridor, witnessed a historic convergence of business, policy, and strategic leadership on August 21, 2026. The Federation of International Trade Investor Gunodaya (FITIG) Association, in collaboration with Leader’s Network, successfully concluded the International Round Table Conference centered on the pivotal theme “Towards Viksit Bharat 2047: Local to Global”. This conference served as a critical multi-stakeholder platform aimed at bridging the gap between local enterprise capabilities and international markets, signaling a robust push towards integrated global economic growth.
The event, held at Raavi Hall, Kisan Bhawan, emerged as a strategic hub for fostering international trade, investment, and collaboration. With a growing footprint that now spans 11 countries and 16 states within Bharat, FITIG is rapidly positioning itself as a crucial institutional bridge for Indian businesses. The conference’s primary objective was not merely to discuss economic philosophies but to forge actionable pathways that allow local manufacturers, MSMEs, traders, and entrepreneurs to plug into global supply chains. As global supply chains undergo massive restructuring, India has a unique opportunity to emerge as the new manufacturing hub. FITIG’s initiative is a robust response to this geopolitical shift.
Addressing the global business audience, Shri Aditya Khanna, National Chairman of FITIG, emphasized the transformative power of small-scale enterprises. In his keynote address, he stated, “Our Local to Global vision is about empowerment through action. Every local manufacturer, MSME, trader, farmer, professional, innovator and entrepreneur has the potential to contribute to Bharat’s global growth story. The commitment received from participating leaders and organisations in Chandigarh gives us an opportunity to build an empowered ecosystem where local capabilities can be connected with national institutions, investment and global markets.” This statement underscores a profound shift from a protectionist economy to an export-oriented, competitive manufacturing powerhouse, aimed at achieving the ambitious Viksit Bharat 2047 targets.
Defense, Security & Strategic Manufacturing: A New Economic Frontier
One of the most salient themes discussed was the intersection of national security and commercial manufacturing. The conference highlighted the vast potential of indigenous manufacturing in the defense sector. The presence of high-ranking retired military officials such as Lt Gen Kamaljit Singh and Maj Gen Neeraj Bali, who led a session on “Strengthening Global Partnerships for a Secure Tomorrow,” added significant strategic weight to the discussions. The potential for specialized industrial and MSME clusters to participate in domestic and global defense supply chains is immense. This shift is crucial for the “Make in India” defense initiative, aiming to boost import substitution while making Indian defense products globally competitive. The discussion focused on technology-driven enterprises capable of sustaining the country’s security apparatus while simultaneously spurring high-tech economic growth.
Investment Facilitation and MSME Empowerment
The conference placed significant emphasis on the foundational pillars of India’s economy: the MSME sector. With dedicated sessions on investment facilitation, FITIG highlighted the need to connect enterprises with government schemes and institutional support, domestic and international investment opportunities, and manufacturing clusters. The presence of the BSE Institute and various real estate partners underscores the vital role of infrastructure and capital in this growth story.
Furthermore, the agricultural economy of the Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh region received extensive attention. Discussions on food processing, value addition, agri-technology, and organized supply chains indicate a strategic move towards creating higher economic value from agricultural produce, turning regional farmers into successful agri-preneurs. The transition from raw material exporters to value-added product manufacturers is set to significantly boost the region’s GDP.
Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
The conference was not just about capital and trade; it was equally about human capital. A specialized Leadership Workshop guided by Mr. Vivek Attray (Ex-IAS) and Maj Gen Rambir Maan (SM, VSM Retd) focused on vision, strategy, and leadership development for building Bharat’s future leaders. In today’s volatile global economic environment, robust leadership is the bedrock of sustained growth. Amanpreet Singh ‘Aman Virk’, Chairperson of Leader’s Network, reinforced this sentiment, stressing the importance of sustained networking and institutional collaboration beyond the conference hall. The presence of strategic partners, including the Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industries, India SME Forum, and Chandigarh Traders Association, further solidified the event’s impact as a driving force for local economic ecosystems.
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