Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Gujarat, Walmart Map MSME Global Access Ahead Of 2027 Summit
Gujarat wants more of its small businesses and artisans to sell products in other countries.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel discussed this idea with Walmart executive Dan Bryant in Washington, D.C. They talked about improving product quality and helping businesses become ready to export.
Patel suggested workshops with Walmart and state government departments.
These workshops could identify the types of businesses with the best international opportunities.
Walmart said its Vriddhi programme has trained more than 115,000 MSMEs since 2019.
The company hopes to train 170,000 MSMEs by 2028.
The groups may create a detailed plan within three to four months.
They may present the plan at Gujarat’s Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2027.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Walmart executive Dan Bryant discussed expanding global opportunities for the state’s MSMEs and small artisans.
The proposed collaboration would focus on improving product quality, export readiness and access to international markets.
Patel proposed joint workshops with Walmart and Gujarat government departments to identify promising sectors and trade opportunities.
Walmart said its Vriddhi programme has trained more than 115,000 MSMEs since 2019 and aims to train 170,000 by 2028.
The sides may develop a collaboration roadmap over the next three to four months and announce it at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027.
- Who
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Walmart executive vice-president Dan Bryant and members of the Gujarat delegation.
- What
- They discussed a collaboration roadmap to help Gujarat’s MSMEs and small artisans improve quality and reach international markets.
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday during Patel’s week-long visit to the United States and Canada; the roadmap may be developed over the next three to four months.
- Where
- Washington, D.C.
- Why
- To improve export readiness, product quality and access to global markets while strengthening Gujarat’s engagement with international businesses and investors.
- Meeting participants
- Bhupendra Patel and Dan Bryant, Walmart’s executive vice-president for Global Public Policy and Government Affairs.
- Target beneficiaries
- Gujarat-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and small artisans.
- Proposed collaboration
- Joint workshops involving Walmart and relevant Gujarat government departments.
- Vriddhi training
- More than 115,000 MSMEs have been trained since 2019, according to Walmart.
- Training target
- Walmart aims to train 170,000 MSMEs by 2028.
- Potential announcement
- A clear collaboration roadmap may be announced at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027.
- Development period
- The sides discussed identifying potential opportunities over the next three to four months.
