Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) continue to serve as a critical pillar of India’s economic progress, contributing around 40% to the nation’s total production and exports. Union Minister of State for MSMEs, Shobha Karandlaje, highlighted this during the MSME Marketing Summit in Bengaluru, jointly organised by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA).
Karandlaje underscored that MSMEs are not just key contributors to GDP but also major job creators across agriculture, food, defence, space, and emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence. Their expansion supports India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, with innovation and entrepreneurship driving both formalisation and inclusion.
Focus on skills, innovation, and infrastructure
The minister announced the establishment of a world-class skill training centre in Bengaluru’s Peenya Industrial Area, designed to empower youth and women through advanced vocational training. The initiative, led by the Skill Training Division, aims to equip workers with globally relevant skills to meet modern industry demands.
Karandlaje said the government’s objective is not limited to expanding credit access but also to building capability capital — strengthening productivity and quality in manufacturing. Through partnerships between MSMEs, educational institutions, and government bodies, the centre will provide hands-on training aligned with Industry 4.0 technologies such as automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled design.
Market access and sustainability
The government is further improving MSME market access through platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), where procurement from small businesses already accounts for nearly 45% of total public spending. Export-oriented MSMEs will benefit from new logistics corridors, simplified trade procedures, and digital documentation systems.
Karandlaje urged entrepreneurs to embrace the Swadeshi spirit and focus on sustainable, quality-driven manufacturing. She emphasised that India-made products must meet export-level benchmarks in safety, packaging, and durability to strengthen their presence in global markets. The minister also encouraged greater emphasis on organic food production, connecting quality with health and long-term consumer trust.
Enabling reforms for MSME competitiveness
The government’s broader MSME strategy now integrates policy simplification, digital tools, and skilling. Programmes like Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity (RAMP) and the CHAMPIONS digital grievance platform are helping enterprises address operational bottlenecks in real time. Financially, collateral-free loans under the Credit Guarantee Scheme and sector-specific PLI incentives continue to boost liquidity and innovation.
With the government aligning skill development, market access, and sustainability, MSMEs are being positioned as the growth engines of India’s manufacturing and export-led economy. Their success, Karandlaje noted, will determine how effectively India achieves inclusive industrialisation and global competitiveness by 2047.