India Hosts First BRICS MSME Forum and Third SME Working Group Meeting
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 June 19, 2026, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The event was conducted under the overarching theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' and brought together policymakers, senior government officials, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs 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 program commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing the diversity and excellence of MSMEs across various sectors. The Third SME Working Group Meeting specifically 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 featured two parallel sessions: deliberations by Private Sector Stakeholders of BRICS Member Countries and the formal working group meeting.
Union Minister for 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 emphasized the need for stronger BRICS cooperation in areas including 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.
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 emphasized 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.
In his keynote address, Shri Bharat Khera, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, emphasized the need to move beyond dialogue towards actionable cooperation in critical areas such as access to finance, technology adoption, digitalization, sustainability, and integration into global value chains. He 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, presented the key outcomes of the three BRICS SME Working Group Meetings, highlighting progress made in advancing cooperation among BRICS nations in digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, market access, and capacity building for MSMEs. Shri Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, shared key outcomes from the Private Sector Stakeholder Meeting, emphasizing the need to create a more supportive ecosystem for SMEs through policy collaboration, digital transformation, improved market access, and stronger partnerships among BRICS countries.
Ms. Yogita Swaroop, Principal Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Government of India, shared insights on the growing importance of MSMEs in shaping resilient and future-ready economies, highlighting the need for greater cooperation among BRICS countries to create new opportunities through innovation, technology adoption, and enhanced trade linkages. Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, expressed gratitude to all participants and acknowledged the support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Ministry of External Affairs, and various other government departments and industry stakeholders in successfully organizing the Forum.
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, marking a significant milestone in deepening the BRICS MSME partnership and translating policy dialogue into meaningful action.