Vaccine Distribution and Opportunities for MSMEs

The world is scrambling to get their hands on a COVID-19 vaccine, and then to distribute it amongst the population. While the focus of many in the vaccine world has been on developing vaccines and measuring their effects on humans, failure to understand and properly address vaccine supply chain issues can greatly reduce the impact of any vaccine. It is a herculean task, to say the least, especially in a country like India. But that means, a world of opportunity has opened up. To make up for all the losses incurred during the lockdown, it is now time for MSMEs to shine.
The vaccine not only means good business for hospitals but also for all industries associated with them, and then some more like transportation, automotive, auto-components industries etc. The chain is long and the benefits are sure to be passed on down the line. The focal point of this being Supply Chain Logistics.
If you might have read my previous blog, you can understand why Supply Chain is a major aspect of business development for MSMEs. With the vaccine distribution task at hand, Supply Chain is sure to be exploited. And exploitation isn’t always a bad thing. You see, with logistics being the major player in this phase of the pandemic, trucks, buses, airplanes, containers, ships are all to be consumed excessively. This will create a boon for the industries associated with them.
It is the time to grow out of the liquidity crunch, and focus on expanding, rather than saving.
As can be understood by the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The future depends on what you do today.”

From latest available data and articles published in leading newspapers, it can be very well established that MSMEs in India, which are considered as the bulwark of economy because of their contribution of around 29% to the GDP and 48% to exports, are poised for a major transformation in terms of investments, customer base, employees, and opportunities.
And what better opportunity than this pandemic, to propel the growth of MSMEs and make use of this ‘once in a lifetime’ moment for everyone. It is the moment of MSMEs to be in the limelight, to share their combined knowledge and expertise and lead the world out of this slump caused by COVID-19.
Therefore, it’s only fair to quote Roy T. Bennett, “Do not let the memories of the past, limit the potential of the future.”