CICU Hosts Walmart Vriddhi Masterclass in Ludhiana; 300+ MSMEs Attend Capacity Building Programme
January 9, 2026
ETT News / Ludhiana
Ludhiana witnessed a strong push towards digital commerce and global market integration as the Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) organised the Walmart Vriddhi Masterclass – Ludhiana 2026 on Friday at the Sohan Lal Pahwa Auditorium, CICU Complex. More than 300 MSME entrepreneurs, exporters, manufacturers and aspiring online sellers from Ludhiana and nearby industrial clusters participated, with the packed auditorium reflecting the growing interest among MSMEs in e-commerce and cross-border trade.
The programme was held under the Walmart Vriddhi initiative, supported by Walmart in collaboration with the Ideas to Impact Foundation, with the objective of strengthening Indian MSMEs through capacity building, digital enablement and access to domestic and international markets. The event began with registration and a networking lunch, allowing participants to interact with industry peers, experts and officials before the formal sessions commenced.
Setting the context, Amit Phull, Trustee, Ideas to Impact Foundation, highlighted that Walmart Vriddhi aims to empower one million MSMEs across India through structured training, mentorship and market linkages. He said such platforms play a crucial role in preparing small businesses for sustainable growth in a competitive global environment.
Delivering the keynote address, CICU President Upkar Singh Ahuja emphasised the need for MSMEs to rapidly adopt technology and explore international markets to remain competitive. He said e-commerce and cross-border trade are no longer optional but essential for the future of Indian MSMEs, adding that Ludhiana, as a major MSME and export hub, holds immense potential if supported by the right ecosystem and knowledge.
Deputy Director, MSME-DFO Ludhiana, Ishita Thaman, in her special address, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen MSMEs through policy support and schemes. She noted that initiatives like Walmart Vriddhi complement government programmes by providing practical exposure, global insights and real-time solutions, and urged entrepreneurs to actively leverage available digital tools and export facilitation mechanisms.
Joint Director, MSME-DFO Ludhiana, Pankaj Kumar Jha, addressed the participants as Chief Guest and underlined the importance of compliance, branding and structured onboarding for MSMEs entering e-commerce and international trade platforms. He said systematic preparation is key to long-term success in global markets.
The technical sessions focused on practical aspects of digital selling and marketplace integration. Dhruv Jain, Senior Manager, Shopsy, introduced participants to the platform, followed by a detailed Flipkart onboarding session by Kapil Thirani, Vice President – Marketplace, along with Irshan Ahmed Siddiqui and Ankit Kejriwal, Directors – Marketplace. The speakers provided step-by-step guidance on catalogue creation, logistics, compliance and scaling operations online. A session on Flipkart Ads by Swapnil Paroha, Associate Director – Ads, highlighted how data-driven advertising can help MSMEs improve visibility and sales.
A key highlight of the masterclass was the session on cross-border trade opportunities through the Walmart Vriddhi programme. Walmart experts Kshitij Kameria, Ajit Kumar and Asim Priyendu explained export readiness, compliance requirements, global demand trends and pathways for Indian MSMEs to integrate into Walmart’s global supply chain. The Supplier Academy Masterclass by Amish Nishesh of Ideas to Impact Foundation further provided practical insights, case studies and mentoring frameworks for building scalable businesses.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Sandeep Sanan, Executive Director – Cross Border Trade, Ideas to Impact Foundation, followed by networking over high tea. Participants praised CICU for organising a comprehensive and industry-focused programme, describing it as one of the most impactful MSME masterclasses held in Ludhiana in recent times.
CICU Ludhiana Walmart Vriddhi Masterclass MSME Training E commerce Cross border Trade Flipkart Onboarding Exports
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