Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi addresses the First BRICS MSME Forum in Agra on June 19, 2026, as delegates from 14 countries reaffirm commitment to building resilient and sustainable MSME ecosystems.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises successfully hosted the First BRICS MSME Forum and the Third SME Working Group Meeting on June 19, 2026 in 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 MSMEs across sectors, followed by two parallel sessions comprising a Private Sector Stakeholder Meeting and the Third SME Working Group Meeting, which deliberated on the theme “Building MSME Ecosystem: Sustainable Roots to Global Routes.” 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, emphasising the need for stronger cooperation in areas including affordable finance, technology adoption, digital transformation, market access, skilling and sustainability. He underlined India’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive MSME ecosystem under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary, Minister of MSME, Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the state’s growing role as a hub of enterprise, innovation and traditional craftsmanship, citing the One District One Product initiative as a driver of local entrepreneurship, livelihood strengthening and global market linkages. In his keynote address, Bharat Khera, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, called for actionable cooperation beyond dialogue in critical areas including access to finance, technology adoption, digitalisation, sustainability and integration into global value chains, and showcased India’s digital public infrastructure as a transformative tool for empowering small businesses.
Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, presented the outcomes of the Private Sector Stakeholder Meeting, emphasising the need for policy collaboration, digital transformation, improved market access and stronger BRICS partnerships to support SMEs. Yogita Swaroop, Principal Economic Adviser at DPIIT, highlighted the need for greater BRICS cooperation to create new opportunities for small businesses through innovation, technology adoption and enhanced trade linkages.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
