NIFT Textile Design Students Connect with Industry and Trade
A delegation of 60 students from the Textile Design department at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) participated in a national MSME seminar in Daman.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised the “Trade and Export Opportunities” seminar on September 9, 2026 at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium in Daman.
The MSME Development Office, Silvassa, under the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, hosted the event.
The seminar aimed to connect academic learning with industrial policies, export strategies and technological innovation. Students from TD Semesters 3 and 7 took part in the sessions and interacted with industry and policy experts.
Students Explore Global Trade Opportunities
The seminar gave NIFT students practical insights into entrepreneurship and global supply chains.
Throughout the event, students engaged with policy experts, e-commerce strategists and industry leaders. They explored topics such as market access, intellectual property and sustainable design.
The programme featured nine sessions covering key areas of modern trade and business.
Dr. Nupur Angirish and Sh. Nimesh Panchal opened the programme with sessions on product and process innovation. Sh. Kuldeep Singh Rajput then discussed e-commerce adoption through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The seminar also covered India’s export framework. Sh. Pramod Taware, Assistant DGFT, Mumbai, explained the Public Procurement Policy and national EXIM Policy.
E-Commerce and Design Standards Take Centre Stage
The afternoon sessions focused on practical market strategies.
Sh. Sandip Vinubhai Kathiriya explained how businesses can scale through global e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bidhan Das, Joint Director & Branch Head, IIP Ahmedabad, discussed design and packaging standards for international trade.
Further sessions expanded the students’ understanding of market research and manufacturing technology. Dr. S. Balasubramaniam addressed market research techniques, while Sh. Himanshu Singh discussed technological upgrades through advanced manufacturing initiatives.
Government Schemes Support Future Entrepreneurs
The final sessions focused on government support for artisans and small businesses.
Sh. Pravin Ureshwar Doiphode and Sh. Shakti Singh Tanwar of MSME-DFO, Silvassa, presented information on government artisan schemes, state support and Udyam Registration.
These sessions helped students understand how government programmes can support entrepreneurship and business development.
NIFT Students Receive Certificates
The seminar concluded with an official valedictory ceremony. All 60 participating NIFT students received certificates of participation.
The event strengthened the students’ understanding of the connection between craft, textile design and national trade mechanisms.
It also gave them practical knowledge to connect their creative skills with global export opportunities. As a result, the seminar offered a valuable link between textile education, industry requirements and India’s growing international trade ecosystem.
