New Delhi: Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang yesterday graced the first-ever Udyami Bharosa Sammelan 2026, organised by the Commerce and Industries Department at Manan Kendra, with a focus on strengthening entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in Sikkim.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister appreciated the participation of entrepreneurs and described entrepreneurship as the courage to create one’s own path, develop business ideas and find solutions to challenges. He said that entrepreneurship requires self-belief, perseverance and a willingness to take responsibility not only for one’s own livelihood but also for creating opportunities for others.
The Chief Minister highlighted the State Government’s emphasis on engaging youth and promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career and livelihood option. He noted that enterprises have emerged across diverse sectors in Sikkim, including retail and wholesale, restaurants, dairy farming, organic products, handicrafts, food processing, transportation, technology and e-commerce, reflecting a growing entrepreneurial culture in the State.
He said the Udyami Bharosa Sammelan was conceived to place entrepreneurs at the centre and focus on their future growth and development. In this context, he reiterated the vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur”, aimed at encouraging families to explore entrepreneurship and self-employment.
The Chief Minister stressed that entrepreneurship should not be limited to large industries or businesses, stating that small home-based enterprises, local businesses and individual self-employment ventures are equally important and deserve recognition and encouragement. He highlighted various initiatives of the State Government, including financial assistance to entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups, support for the creative and content-based economy, and the Sikkim RISE initiative as a platform for nurturing new entrepreneurs.
Emphasising the importance of awareness and informed decision-making, the Chief Minister urged entrepreneurs to obtain accurate information on Government schemes directly from the concerned departments. He advised them to carefully study the provisions and eligibility criteria of various programmes and make informed use of the support available.
Acknowledging that many entrepreneurs in Sikkim are first-generation entrepreneurs without inherited business experience or established market networks, he encouraged them to learn from both success and failure. He advised aspiring entrepreneurs to adopt a gradual and disciplined approach, understand their markets, maintain financial discipline, and give priority to quality, customer satisfaction and sustainable business models.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the increase in enterprise registrations in the State as an indication of the growing culture of entrepreneurship in Sikkim. He encouraged young people to identify local needs and develop products and services within the State, thereby generating employment and retaining economic value within Sikkim.
Calling for greater support for local enterprises, he urged people to embrace “Vocal for Local” and contribute to the “Making Sikkim” initiative by producing, promoting and consuming locally made goods and services.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to “dream big but start small”, observing that a successful enterprise could begin with a good idea, a quality product and a satisfied customer. He said that consistent effort, responsible expansion and community support could enable small enterprises to grow into sustainable businesses and create opportunities for others.
The Chief Minister also launched the Catalogue of Temi Tea and the Government Fruit Preservation Factory and released the book 100 Successful Entrepreneurs. He also interacted with and felicitated entrepreneurs as part of the programme.
The event featured experience-sharing sessions, startup pitching under Sikkim RISE 2026, a showcase of entrepreneurship initiatives and screening of documentaries highlighting the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Key partnerships and MoUs were also announced between the Commerce and Industries Department and various institutional and industry partners.
As part of the programme, the Chief Minister distributed prizes to Sikkim RISE 2026 winners and cheques to 80 beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Udyamshilta Yojana. Outstanding entrepreneurs, a young and aspiring entrepreneur, a National Handloom Awardee, and Sikkim RISE jury members were also felicitated.