Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,Government of India

The Ministry of MSME, Government of India, hosted the First BRICS MSME Forum and the Third SME Working Group Meeting on 19 June 2026 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

The event brought together delegates from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, the UAE, Cuba, Malaysia and Uganda, while Egypt, Indonesia and Belarus participated virtually to discuss strengthening MSME ecosystems under the theme “Building MSME Ecosystem – Sustainable Roots to Global Routes.”

The programme commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing the diversity and excellence of MSMEs across sectors. The Third SME Working Group Meeting, held under the theme “Building MSME Ecosystem – Sustainable Roots to Global Routes,” enabled member countries to share experiences, best practices, and policy initiatives for strengthening MSME ecosystems. Discussions highlighted the importance of resilience, innovation, sustainability, and enhanced cooperation among BRICS nations and partner countries.

At the First BRICS MSME Forum and the Third SME Working Group Meeting held today in Agra, delegates reaffirmed the vital role of MSMEs as key drivers of economic growth, employment generation, innovation, and inclusive development. They also underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation among BRICS nations to strengthen resilient supply chains, accelerate digital transformation, and promote knowledge sharing for the growth and development of MSMEs globally.

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.
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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.

Shri Bhupendra Chaudhary, Hon’ble 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.

During the event Hon’ble Union Minister for Ministy 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.
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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.

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.

3 SME Working Group Meeting

During India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Ministry of MSME successfully convened the 3rd SME Working Group Meeting in Agra on 19 June under the ambit of PartNIR SME Working Group. To tap on the strength of Sustainability-oriented MSMEs, the discussion revolved around “Building MSME Ecosystems – Sustainable Roots to Global Routes”.