The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India successfully convened the Inaugural BRICS MSME Forum 2026 in Agra, bringing together government representatives, policymakers, industry leaders, and private-sector stakeholders from BRICS Member and Partner Countries to deliberate on strengthening MSME ecosystems, fostering sustainability, and enhancing global competitiveness.

On the occasion, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Minister of MSME, Government of India, emphasized the importance of collective action in shaping the future of MSMEs across BRICS nations.

"MSMEs are central to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic development. The challenges facing enterprises today whether related to financing, technology adoption, sustainability or market access require collaborative solutions. BRICS countries possess immense strengths and complementary capabilities. Through continued dialogue and cooperation, we can build a robust framework that empowers MSMEs to become drivers of innovation, exports and employment," he noted.

The Minister further reaffirmed India's commitment to fostering stronger economic partnerships and facilitating knowledge-sharing among BRICS member countries.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary, Minister for MSME, Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the state's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and industrial development.

"Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing economic regions with MSMEs playing a transformative role in employment generation and grassroots development. Our focus remains on creating an enabling ecosystem through infrastructure development, policy support, skill enhancement and digital empowerment. The exchange of global best practices through platforms such as the BRICS MSME Forum will further strengthen these efforts," he said.

In his address, Shri Bharat Khera, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India,  emphasised the critical role of MSMEs in shaping resilient and inclusive economies.

Addressing delegates, Shri Khera said; “MSMEs are not merely economic units; they are engines of innovation, employment, entrepreneurship and regional development. As BRICS economies continue to expand their global influence, there is immense potential for collaboration in areas such as technology adoption, sustainable manufacturing, digital transformation, skilling, and market access. Through stronger partnerships and knowledge-sharing, we can build MSME ecosystems that are resilient, competitive and globally connected."

Setting the context for the Forum, Dr. Rajneesh, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, presented the key outcomes emerging from the three BRICS SME Working Group Meetings and outlined the priorities that have emerged through sustained engagement among member countries.

The Forum followed the 3rd BRICS SME Working Group Meeting. It marked a significant milestone in advancing economic cooperation among BRICS nations through a dedicated focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises—the backbone of economic growth, innovation, and employment generation.

During session Ms. Yogita Swaroop, Principal Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, highlighted the importance of policy coordination and enabling frameworks to support enterprise growth.

"The future of economic growth will increasingly be driven by innovative and agile enterprises. MSMEs occupy a pivotal position in this transformation. Strengthening ease of doing business, improving access to finance, fostering innovation ecosystems and facilitating international market linkages will be critical in unlocking the next phase of growth across BRICS economies," she said.

A special MSME film showcasing India's entrepreneurial strength, innovation capabilities and MSME success stories was also screened during the inaugural session.

One of the key highlights of the Forum was a presentation by Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, who shared the recommendations and outcomes of the private-sector stakeholder consultations held among BRICS member countries.

Presenting industry perspectives, Mr. Sanyal underscored the need for deeper cooperation in technology exchange, digital trade, sustainable manufacturing practices, capacity building, and supply-chain integration.

The Forum also featured presentations by government representatives from BRICS Member and Partner Countries, who shared best practices and successful case studies on strengthening MSME ecosystems, promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing productivity and facilitating access to international markets.

The Forum concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India. She expressed appreciation for the participating delegations, industry leaders, partner organisations and stakeholders for being a part of the inaugural edition of the forum.

"The discussions held today have reaffirmed the shared vision of BRICS nations to create resilient, sustainable and future-ready MSME ecosystems. The ideas, experiences and recommendations exchanged during the Forum will provide valuable inputs in strengthening cooperation and advancing a collective agenda for MSME-led growth," she said.

During the event, Ministry of Ayush along with Ministry of MSME and ASSOCHAM also organized the Yoga session in context to International Yoga Day for the BRICS representatives.

The event also featured a cultural programme celebrating India's rich heritage. The Inaugural BRICS MSME Forum 2026 concluded with a strong consensus to enhance cooperation in sustainability, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship development, and global value chain integration, reinforcing the pivotal role of MSMEs in driving inclusive economic growth across BRICS economies.

Earlier in the day Shri Bharat Khera, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, inaugurated the BRICS MSME Exhibition, an important platform for innovation, collaboration, and growth among BRICS nations.

The exhibition highlighted the strength and potential of the MSME sector in driving inclusive and sustainable economic development.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

E-mail - hipessi[at]gmail[dot]com

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