Partners: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Asian-India Centre at RIS (AIC), ASEAN Studies Centre, and ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute

Digitalisation offers MSMEs new growth opportunities, such as expanded market access and streamlined global integration. Despite being key job creators in India and ASEAN, challenges like the digital divide, financial constraints, and capacity gaps hinder their competitiveness. In a thought-provoking session at the Eight Roundtable of ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks, senior experts explored seven key challenges MSMEs face in India and ASEAN and delved into collaborative strategies to support their digital transformation.

The session featured industry leaders and experts, such as:

• Chair: Dr Amit Kapoor, Chair, Institute for Competitiveness and Lecturer, Stanford University 

• Speakers: Dr Somdeth Bodhisane, Acting Director, Institute for Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Vientiane 
• Dr Hendri Saparini, Founder, Center of Reform on Economics (CORE), Jakarta 
• Sharon Buteau, Executive Director, LEAD at Krea University
• Dr Tanu Goyal, Senior Fellow, ICRIER, New Delhi