MSMEs Account for 35.4% of Manufacturing, 48.58% to India’s Exports, Must Raise Global Competitiveness: Secretary, MSME
CII launches MSME Study & FTA Compendium for MSMEs to accelerate MSME globalisation
CII’s 23rd Global MSME Business Summit calls for quality-driven growth, stronger supply chains and strategic partnerships to expand global market access
India’s MSME sector contributes 35.4% to the country’s manufacturing output and 48.58% to its exports, highlighting its significant role in strengthening India’s industrial base, generating employment and expanding the country’s global trade presence. Addressing the 23rd Global MSME Business Summit, Mr Bharat Khera, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, underscored the importance of enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs amid the ongoing transformation of global supply chains, rapid technological advancements and the growing emphasis on sustainability. Strengthening the sector’s competitiveness is essential to India’s economic growth and the realisation of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Emphasising that opportunities in global markets must translate into sustained growth, the Secretary highlighted the need for MSMEs to focus on consistent quality, cost competitiveness, technology adoption, and productivity enhancement. "Indian enterprises must meet international standards, ensure reliable delivery schedules and strengthen their export preparedness to become dependable suppliers in global value chains", he said.
Improved access to finance, skills, quality infrastructure, and technology, along with greater awareness of tariff preferences, rules of origin, product standards and certification requirements under India’s expanding network of trade agreements, will be critical to enabling MSMEs to access international markets. He also underscored the need for targeted support and handholding, particularly for first-time exporters and enterprises facing logistical constraints.
Outlining the government’s approach to strengthening the MSME ecosystem, the Secretary highlighted five interconnected priorities: formalisation of enterprises, access to finance, quality and technology adoption, export competitiveness and global market access, and entrepreneurship and enterprise development. He called for stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia, and financial institutions, emphasising the role of larger enterprises in nurturing MSMEs through innovation, technology transfer, vendor development, and supply-chain integration.
He commended CII’s efforts to advance the MSME agenda and highlighted the importance of the CII–ISB Pan-India MSME Study in identifying practical constraints faced by enterprises and informing targeted policy interventions. The Study, covering 28 states, eight Union Territories and 40 industry sectors, seeks to build an evidence base on enterprise challenges, growth aspirations and constraints to scaling. Its findings are expected to inform practical policy recommendations and strengthen linkages between MSMEs and larger enterprises, particularly original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The CII FTA Compendium for MSMEs was also launched during the occasion, which aims to help enterprises understand tariff preferences, rules of origin, product standards, certification procedures and documentation requirements to explore international markets more effectively. CII’s market facilitation services, including export-market assessments, FTA utilisation guidance and market-entry advisory support, aim to help MSMEs translate international opportunities into tangible business outcomes. The Secretary expressed the Ministry’s interest in working with CII to take forward the outcomes of these initiatives and translate them into practical interventions.
Mr Sunil Chordia, Chairman, CII National MSME Council and CMD, Rajratan Global Wire Ltd, called for greater resilience, adaptability and innovation to help MSMEs scale sustainably. He stressed the need to simplify compliance, harmonise definitions applicable to small enterprises, decriminalise minor offences and adopt more facilitative approaches to environmental compliance. He also underscored the importance of cluster-based development, shared capabilities and stronger linkages with domestic buyers and larger enterprises to integrate MSMEs into global value chains.
Mr Shreekant Somany, Chairman & Managing Director, Somany Ceramics Ltd highlighted opportunities for Indian MSMEs arising from shifting global supply chains, changing trade patterns and technological advancements. He emphasised the need to invest in modern manufacturing, digital technologies, skilled manpower, quality systems and sustainable practices. Noting the potential of India’s expanding network of free trade agreements, he called for better access to finance and export credit, improved logistics and customs processes, and shared industrial infrastructure to strengthen global competitiveness and reduce compliance costs.
Mr Ashok Saigal, Chairman – Policy, CII National MSME Council and Managing Director, Frontier Technologies Pvt Ltd, emphasised that MSME growth must contribute to the expansion of the overall economy, with exports offering a significant pathway. He stressed that quality is fundamental to competing in domestic and international markets, alongside improvements in efficiency and productivity to ensure competitive pricing.
Held on the theme “The New Global Growth Imperative: Competitive Enterprises, Connected Markets and Strategic Partnerships,” the Summit brought together industry leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on enhancing MSME competitiveness amid changing global trade patterns, evolving supply chains, and expanding international economic partnerships.
New Delhi,
13 October 2026