The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, successfully hosted the First BRICS MSME Forum and the Third SME Working Group Meeting on 19 June 2026 at Agra, Uttar Pradesh, under the overarching theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.

The event brought together policymakers, senior government officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and stakeholders from BRICS member and partner countries, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, the UAE, Belarus, Cuba, Malaysia, Uganda and India.

The programme commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing the diversity and excellence of MSME across sectors. The Third SME Working Group Meeting deliberated on the theme ‘Building MSME Ecosystem – Sustainable Roots to Global Routes,’ with member countries sharing their experiences and policy interventions aimed at strengthening MSME ecosystems.

The day embarked with two parallel sessions, first was the deliberation by Private Sector Stakeholders of BRICS Member Countries and the second was on the 3rd SME working group meeting. 

The sessions underscored the collective commitment of BRICS nations to deepen cooperation, drive innovation, and build a stronger, more sustainable, and future-ready MSME ecosystem. The inaugural session of the BRICS MSME Forum, marked a significant step in strengthening collaboration among BRICS nations and fostering a resilient, innovative, and future-ready MSME ecosystem.

During the event, Union Minister for Ministry of MSME Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi highlighted the critical role of MSMEs as engines of economic growth, innovation and employment across BRICS nations and the Global South.

He emphasised the need for stronger BRICS cooperation in areas such as affordable finance, technology adoption, digital transformation, market access, skilling and sustainability. The Minister underlined India’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive MSME ecosystem under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and called for collaborative efforts to strengthen innovation, global value chains and sustainable development across BRICS economies.

 

Addressing the Inaugural BRICS MSME Forum, Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary, Minister of MSME, Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s growing role as a hub of enterprise, innovation and traditional craftsmanship. He emphasised that the State’s vibrant MSME sector, driven by initiatives such as One District One Product (ODOP), has empowered local entrepreneurs, strengthened livelihoods and enhanced global market linkages. Stressing the importance of collaboration among BRICS nations, he underlined that shared knowledge, technology and sustainable business practices can unlock new opportunities for MSMEs and accelerate inclusive economic growth.

 

In the keynote address at the Inaugural BRICS MSME Forum in Agra, Shri Bharat Khera, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, highlighted the pivotal role of MSME in fostering economic resilience, innovation and inclusive development across BRICS nations. He emphasised the need to move beyond dialogue towards actionable cooperation in critical areas such as access to finance, technology adoption, digitalisation, sustainability and integration into global value chains.  He also showcased India’s digital public infrastructure as a transformative tool for empowering small businesses and called for deeper BRICS collaboration to build a stronger, more innovative, sustainable and globally competitive MSME ecosystem.

Dr. Rajneesh AS&DC, Ministry of MSME also highlighted the context for the inaugural BRICS MSME Forum by presenting the key outcomes of the three BRICS SME Working Group Meetings. He highlighted the progress made in advancing cooperation among BRICS nations in areas such as digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, market access and capacity building for MSME.

Speaking on the occasion, delegates also reiterated the vital role of MSME as engines of economic growth, employment generation, innovation and inclusive development. They emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation among BRICS nations to promote resilient supply chains, foster digital transformation and facilitate knowledge sharing for the benefit of MSME worldwide.

 

Shri Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, shared the key outcomes of the Private Sector Stakeholder Meeting focused on the priorities of the SME Working Group. He emphasized the need to create a more supportive ecosystem for SMEs through policy collaboration, digital transformation, improved market access, and stronger partnerships among BRICS countries.

His presentation highlighted the critical role of SMEs in driving innovation, economic growth, and employment generation.

Ms. Yogita Swaroop, Principal Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Government of India, shared valuable insights on the growing importance of MSME in shaping resilient and future-ready economies.

She highlighted the need for greater cooperation among BRICS countries to create new opportunities for small businesses through innovation, technology adoption, and enhanced trade linkages.

Ms. Mercy Epao Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, expressed sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Ministers, Heads of Delegation and representatives from BRICS Member and Partner Countries for their valuable participation and insightful contributions at the Inaugural BRICS MSME Forum. She acknowledged the support and cooperation extended by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Ministry of External Affairs, and various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, along with industry stakeholders and partner institutions, in the successful organisation of the Forum. She highlighted that the Forum marks a significant milestone in deepening the BRICS MSME partnership and translating policy dialogue into meaningful action.

Emphasising the importance of private sector participation, she noted that the future of MSME cooperation will be shaped not only by governments but also by entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders, paving the way for a more resilient, innovative and globally connected MSME ecosystem.

****

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

E-mail:  hipessi[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2276258) Visitor Counter : 380