Meta-owned WhatsApp and India SME Forum have joined hands to launch an application ‘Digishaastra’ to help accelerate digital adoption among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
With the help of the application, any small business can create a profile and add detailed information on the products and services they offer and reach out to their target audience. This feature, available on WhatsApp for Business, allows businesses to customize messages for their customers for both parties to stay connected, and be aware of each other’s needs and availability.
Users get hands-on experience with tools, such as WhatsApp for Business, creating product catalogs, engaging customers through chatbots, and implementing AI-driven solutions. Businesses can register through the Digishaastra website set up by India SME Forum.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is facilitating the roll out of the tool through its UDYAM Scheme to help small businesses digitalize their operations. Any Udyam-registered micro and small enterprise seeking to enhance its digital presence can register on the website.
According to Vinod Kumar, president, India SME Forum, WhatsApp was chosen as the preferred platform to drive digitization among MSMEs because it is the most widely used application and people spend a lot of time on this App. He said the inspiration for ‘DigiShaastra’ came from how many small entrepreneurs expanded their business online during the Covid years. Small and micro enterprises require a certain degree of enhanced training and handholding to digitalize, enable and empower themselves to come online, he added.
Shivnath Thukral, vice president and head of public policy, Meta India, said Meta’s platforms, including WhatsApp, aim to drive digital transformation for MSMEs in India. He emphasized the role of Meta in empowering MSMEs by providing them with tools and technologies to establish an online presence, connect with customers, and scale their businesses efficiently. “Meta’s support of Digishaastra aligns with its broader mission to create inclusive growth opportunities for small businesses worldwide,” he added.
WhatsApp Business App provides small businesses and solopreneurs with a democratized gateway to discover new markets, serve customers and build professional digital identities.
