Udit Vani Jamshedpur : CII organized the Jharkhand Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit in Ranchi, centred on the theme “Rooted in Heritage, Rising in Enterprise.”
The summit focused on accelerating tribal-led growth by expanding access to knowledge on finance, markets, skills, and technology.
It brought together tribal entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, academicians, and development agencies from across Eastern India—creating a strong platform for dialogue on entrepreneurial resilience, financial mechanisms, market readiness, and ecosystem strengthening.
The Summit reaffirmed CII’s commitment to nurturing tribal entrepreneurship, expanding opportunities, and positioning tribal communities as key contributors to the region’s economic transformation.
Tapas Sahu, Past Chairman, CII Jharkhand State Council & Managing Director, Highco Engineers Pvt. Ltd., highlighted that Jharkhand’s rich tribal culture and heritage offer significant untapped opportunities for enterprise development. He noted that while tribal entrepreneurs possess strong potential, they often face challenges related to ease of doing business, including limited awareness of government schemes, financial literacy gaps, and restricted market access.
Sahu emphasized that platforms like the CII Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit are crucial for showcasing tribal innovation and connecting entrepreneurs to wider business ecosystems. He also announced the launch of a dedicated CII directory featuring nearly 200 tribal entrepreneurs, aimed at enhancing national visibility and facilitating linkages with government agencies, industry partners, and investors. He lauded CII’s efforts in bridging existing gaps and fostering collaboration for collective growth.
Jitendra Kumar Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Labour, Employment, Training & Skill Development, Government of Jharkhand, underscored the significant contribution of tribal entrepreneurs to the nation’s GDP.
He shared that 26% of the tribal population is engaged in diverse trade initiatives, with inclusive development remaining a core priority.
He highlighted Jharkhand’s robust skilling ecosystem, comprising:
* 171 Government ITIs
* 781 additional ITIs
* 333 PPP centres
* 6 CSR-supported institutes
Over 260 private ITIs offering 9,000 seats across 30–35 sectors
Singh emphasized ongoing efforts to modernize curricula and introduce new industry-aligned courses.
He also noted the continued training initiatives under JSDMS since 2015 and recommended expanding Finishing and Policy Courses to enhance employability, industry readiness, and alignment with emerging opportunities.
