Pune, May 7, 2026: Adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digitization, data science and machine learning is essential for the growth and competitiveness of India’s MSMEs and industries, Padma Shri awardee and DICCI founder Milind Kumble said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of India’s first ERP Industry Expo held at Auto Cluster Exhibition Center in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kumble said technology-driven industries will play a major role in achieving the vision of a ‘developed India’ by 2047.
“Modern technology can significantly increase productivity in industries and create massive employment opportunities. Industries, especially MSMEs, need to adopt ERP and AI-driven systems to accelerate growth,” he said.
The three-day exhibition is hosted by Exponomics Events and will feature over 100 ERP companies, technology providers, and startups from across the country. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appreciated the initiative in a video message played during the inauguration ceremony. A guidebook related to the exhibition was also released.
The expo will showcase advanced ERP and digital solutions across sectors such as manufacturing, finance, logistics, retail, healthcare, construction, and edtech. We also host expert sessions, workshops, and live demonstrations for industry professionals and entrepreneurs. The exhibition is free to view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until May 9.
Kumble said that Maharashtra continues to attract nearly 40 per cent of the country’s foreign direct investment and Pune has emerged as a preferred destination for industries due to its favorable industrial policies and ecosystem. India witnessed a massive digital transformation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Industrial sectors must now focus on integrating ERP and AI technologies into mainstream operations. ” he added.
Sagar Ahiwale, director of Exponomics, said the exhibition aims to strengthen the concept of ‘Digital India, Developed India’ and support the emergence of Maharashtra as a smart industrial nation. He said, “This expo will chart the direction of industrial digital transformation and help enterprises implement scalable AI and ERP solutions.”
Shraddha Kulkarni, director, Sunone Technology, said Pune’s evolution into an IT and industrial hub has created opportunities for digital transformation in the surrounding industrial areas. “The adoption of technology will help the industry achieve global standards and improve productivity,” she said.
Aarti Bhosale-Ahiwale said the exhibition will help the industry move from traditional systems to a smart, data-driven and technology-enabled industrial ecosystem. Mr. Milind Hadap added that the event will create opportunities for MSMEs and SMEs to explore partnerships and latest technologies.
Those in attendance included Rod Albuquerque of Applic Consultancy, Deepan Ramalingam, CEO of Ringfeder Transmission, Mahendra Fans, Chairman of Indrayani Industries Association, Dilip Batwal, CEO of Chakan Industries Federation, and other industry representatives.
