BRICS MSME Forum 2026: BRICS Nations Push for Stronger MSME Cooperation
and Sustainable Growth
Ø Union MSME Minister Jitan
Ram Manjhi calls for Collective Action to Shape the Future of MSMEs Across
BRICS Nations
Ø MSMEs Driving Uttar Pradesh’s Rapid
Economic Growth, Employment Generation and Grassroots Development: Bhupendra
Choudhury
Ø MSMEs are Not Merely Economic Units but
Engines of Innovation, Employment and Regional Development: MSME Secretary
Bharat Khera
·
The
inaugural BRICS MSME Forum
2026 was held in Agra,
India, organized by the Ministry of MSME.
·
Representatives
from BRICS member and partner countries discussed strengthening MSME
ecosystems, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
·
Union
MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi called for collective
action to address challenges in finance, technology, sustainability, and market
access.
·
India
reaffirmed its commitment to stronger economic partnerships and
knowledge-sharing among BRICS nations.
·
Uttar
Pradesh MSME Minister Bhupendra Chaudhary highlighted MSMEs' role in employment
generation and grassroots development.
·
MSME
Secretary Bharat Khera described MSMEs as key drivers of innovation,
entrepreneurship, employment, and regional development.
·
Discussions
focused on technology adoption, sustainable manufacturing, digital
transformation, skill development, and market access.
·
DPIIT
Principal Economic Adviser Yogita Swaroop stressed the importance of ease of
doing business, access to finance, innovation, and international market
linkages.
·
ASSOCHAM
recommended deeper cooperation in technology exchange, digital trade,
sustainable manufacturing, capacity building, and supply-chain integration.
·
BRICS
countries shared best practices and successful MSME development models.
·
A
BRICS MSME Exhibition showcased innovation and entrepreneurship across member
nations.
·
A
Yoga session was organized jointly by the Ministry of Ayush, MSME Ministry, and
ASSOCHAM ahead of International Yoga Day.
·
The
forum concluded with a consensus to enhance cooperation in sustainability,
innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and global value-chain
integration.
[ABS News
Service/20.06.2026]
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, 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, 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, Bharat Khera, Secretary,
Ministry of MSME, Government of India, emphasised the critical role of MSMEs in shaping
resilient and inclusive economies.
Addressing delegates, Mr. 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 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.