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FISME hosted an International Conference on Strategies for ‘Mass Scale Technology Upgradation for MSMEs: Global Experiences and Lessons for India’. The conference tried to learn from the global experiences as to how to raise the level of technology in a cluster which use the same or similar technologies. The number of such clusters in India range from 400 to 1000 depending upon definition used based on number of units. But the fact remains that a large number of MSMEs in these clusters continue to struggle with obsolete technologies. Drawing from experiences of Italy, UK and other countries the experts shared their insights. For most MSMEs technology advancement is largely through better machines. Welcoming delegates, I pointed out that the recent credit guarantee backed scheme for collateral free loans up to Rs.100 crore was a great step. At present for MSMEs on record, access to funds is not as difficult as the information about new technologies and advanced machines. One of the needs that emerged during the conference was benchmarking of technology used in different clusters. As majority of MSMEs rely on a handful of suppliers of machines, it could be worth exploring funding development of prototypes of advanced machines which could be produced in large quantities if found suitable. Such initiatives could encourage machine producers to risk taking a leap in technology advancement. We aim to come out with a report with pragmatic solutions discussed and debated in the conference.
The Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) organised a two day international conference on “Strategies for Mass Scale Technological Upgradation for MSMEs: Global Experiences and Lessons for India” on 7th and 8th March 2025 in New Delhi. Sandeep Kishore Jain, President, FISME, delivered the welcome address, followed by a special address from Guest of Honour Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, who emphasised the government's commitment to supporting technological transformation in the sector. The Chief Guest, Rajendra Agrawal, Convenor of Friends of MSMEs in Parliament and Former MP from Meerut underscored the significance of policy support to facilitate technology adoption among small businesses. The event brought together experts from around the world to discuss innovative approaches and share experiences relevant to the Indian MSME sector. The conference featured eminent speakers namely Dr. Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General, INSME, Rome, Italy; Dr. Sangeeta Khorana, Aston University, UK; Kate Foster, International affairs and trade policy at Federation of Small Businesses (FSB); Cristiano Massimo Pasini, Director and Representative, UNIDO; Mukesh Gulati, Executive Director at Foundation for MSME Clusters; P. Shyam Sunder, Director Bureau of Energy Efficiency; and Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singh, CGM, SIDBI. They offered insights on global best practices, financing mechanisms and policy measures to accelerate technology adoption among Indian MSMEs.
Building a startup isn't about chasing certainty — it's about learning to thrive in the unknown. Growth, risk and opportunity collide at every turn, creating a dynamic that's as exhilarating as it is precarious. Fragility, momentum and reinvestment aren't just forces at play; they're defining elements of the entrepreneurial journey.
My experiences, from building an early services business to co-founding Density and now leading Bread, have taught me that success doesn't come from avoiding these forces. It comes from understanding their interplay and navigating them with intention.
Over the past decade, the Union government has taken several steps to foster the manufacturing sector, which helps to create decent jobs, including through Make in India, the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, and reforms enhancing the ease of doing business, among others. Carrying forward the policy momentum, the Union Budget for 2025-26 has devoted considerable attention to the manufacturing sector, including through schemes for the micro, small, and medium enterprises MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors. Among the significant steps is the focus product scheme for India’s footwear and leather sector covering support for design capacity, component manufacturing, and machinery required for the production
India's industrial activity recorded a significant upturn in January 2025, with the manufacturing sector serving as the primary catalyst for growth, according to a recent report by ICICI Bank Global Markets.
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) registered a 5.0 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in January, marking an improvement from the 3.5 percent growth observed in December 2024. The manufacturing sector demonstrated robust performance, expanding by 5.5 percent YoY in January, a substantial improvement from the 3.0 percent YoY growth recorded in the previous month.
India must achieve an 8 per cent GDP growth rate to ensure sustainable progress, said Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI).
While the current growth rate hovers around 6 per cent, Setty believes this slowdown is temporary and that India's long-term economic trajectory remains strong. Encouragingly, private consumption is rebounding, as indicated by a rise in Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) to 7.6 per cent. However, some sectors, such as automobiles, have seen a slowdown since December.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Lakhpati Didi programme in Vansi Borsi village, Navsari district, Gujarat on International Women's Day, where he launched two significant schemes aimed at rural development and women's empowerment.
The Prime Minister unveiled G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods) and G-MAITRI (Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income).
India has prioritised the formulation, revision, and updating of Indian Standards across various ministries and sectors, with approximately 23,000 standards currently in force. Compliance with certain standards has been made mandatory through Quality Control Orders (QCOs), which are notified by concerned regulators and line ministries based on considerations including public interest, protection of health and safety, environmental protection, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security.
The Steel Research Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) unveiled three new research and development schemes alongside a web portal during an event titled ‘Catalyzing R&D in the Indian Steel Sector’ held at New Delhi, on Wednesday.
The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Indian steel industry and academia, with support from the Ministry of Steel. Minister of State for Steel & Heavy Industries, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, officially launched the R&D schemes and the SRTMI web portal.
India witnessed a remarkable surge in solar power capacity addition in 2024, more than doubling to 25.2 gigawatts (GW) compared to 8.3 GW in 2023, according to a report by US-based research firm Mercom Capital.
The sharp increase was primarily driven by the commissioning of delayed projects, the report noted. Large-scale solar projects, including solar open access, contributed over 87 per cent of the total capacity additions, while rooftop solar accounted for nearly 13 per cent. Within the large-scale segment, installations under the open access model made up over 31 per cent of the new capacity.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petition filed by Idemia Syscom India Private Limited seeking the appointment of an arbitrator in its dispute with M/s Conjoinix Total Solutions Private Limited.
The Court ruled that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, being a specific legislation, would override the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Court observed that the MSMED Act, having a non-obstante clause, prevails over the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The dispute arose from an IT services contract between the parties for a project awarded by the State Transport Department, Orissa. A Service Framework Agreement was executed on February 9, 2022.
The Tamil Nadu government has earmarked Rs 1,918 crore for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department as part of its comprehensive strategy to expand industrial infrastructure, foster entrepreneurship, and support traditional artisans across the state.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced that the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) will develop nine new industrial estates throughout the state with an investment of Rs 366 crore.
In a strategic move to expand its industrial land bank, the Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked 450 acres from six closed textile mills.
This acquisition is part of a broader initiative to create a substantial land reserve of 150,000 acres by 2027 for industrial development. The land parcels, which will be acquired by the UP State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), belong to defunct mills under the UP Cooperative Spinning Mills Federation.
A day after the All Gujarat Diamond Association (AGDA) submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighting the financial struggles of diamond artisans, the Gujarat government initiated relief measures.
In response to the plea, the CM directed junior education minister Praful Pansheriya, junior home minister Harsh Sanghavi, and additional chief secretary MK Das to assess the crisis and propose solutions. “We have been tasked with identifying the challenges faced by the diamond industry and its workers and proposing solutions,” Pansheriya told TOI.
Bengal's food processing industry has committed an investment of Rs 181 crore under the Centre's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
If this investment meets all stipulated conditions, the central government will provide a subsidy of Rs 1,200 crore over five years to bolster the state's food processing sector. The announcement was made by Subrata Gupta, Union Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, during an industry interaction event organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on Monday.
India is set to enhance its strategic partnership with Mauritius by signing a maritime agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to the island nation.
The agreement, once finalised, will facilitate the exchange of information between the Indian and Mauritian navies and coast guards on commercial shipping in their respective territorial waters. The white shipping agreement is expected to bolster India’s maritime security by providing a closer watch over the western Indian Ocean. The move comes as China continues to expand its presence in the region, and amid the ongoing U.S. strategic pivot to Asia.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed Parliament on Tuesday that India and the United States are planning to negotiate a mutually beneficial trade agreement focusing on increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and enhancing supply chain integration across multiple sectors. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Prasada clarified that the United States has not imposed reciprocal tariffs on India despite concerns following the US Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs issued on February 13.
19 Strategies For Navigating Employee Pushback On Return-To-Office Mandates
As companies continue to roll out return-to-work mandates, many human resources (HR) leaders are facing resistance from employees who have grown accustomed to remote or hybrid flexibility. While some may be concerned about work-life balance, others might question the necessity of in-office policies altogether.
Financial tips for women entrepreneurs to grow their business
Getting into strategic partnerships can also open new financial avenues. Collaborating with like-minded businesses can help in cost-sharing, expanding the customer base, and enhancing market reach without putting excessive financial strain on one’s business. Also, honing negotiation skills will add value to finances as every penny saved is a penny earned. In totality, strong goals, handling proper cash flow, securing regular funding, and consistently keeping one updated on financial knowledge, will help minimize errors and ensure continuous business growth.
6 Powerful Insights to Reveal Your Customers' Deepest Desires
We live in a world where so much of our success is determined by superficial things. Whether it's the car you drive, the house you own or the places you holiday in, there is a belief that what you have to show for yourself indicates your level of worth. After years of working in the marketing industry, I'd argue that this is far from the case when it comes to business.
MSME Industry Bodies Urge RBI for E-commerce Export Reforms
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) industry bodies have urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to revise regulations governing e-commerce exports. The request was made during a meeting with the central bank in Ahmedabad last week. According to an industry source familiar with the discussions, MSME representatives highlighted challenges in the current system, which requires manual matching of shipping bills with inward remittances (IRMs).
BL Agro Unveils Rs 1,000 Crore High-Tech Dairy Centre In Bareilly
Leading FMCG company BL Agro has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cattle breeding and dairy centre in Bareilly with an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
The Centre of Excellence for Cow Breeding and Dairy Technology, operated by subsidiary firm BL Khamdhenu, was formally inaugurated by Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday.
NAPS Global India Shares Surge 20% In BSE SME Debut
NAPS Global India's share price made a strong debut on the BSE SME platform today, opening at Rs 108, which represents a 20 premium over the issue price of Rs 90.
The company's initial public offering (IPO) was open for subscription from Tuesday, March 5, until Thursday, March 6. The IPO was priced at Rs 90 per equity share with a face value of Rs 10 each.
The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Quick Estimate of Index of Industrial Production and Use-Based Index for the month of January 2025 (Base 2011-12=100).
FISME regularly receives monthly reports on the economies of various countries from their missions in India. These reports provide information on key economic parameters, trade related information and all news relevant for importers and exporters. In this edition you can take a look at reports on:
Write your comments on the FISME Factor. Share your views and suggestions on MSME issues. Win prize! The best mail will get a special book every fortnight.
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FISME hosted an International Conference on Strategies for ‘Mass Scale Technology Upgradation for MSMEs: Global Experiences and Lessons for India’. The conference tried to learn from the global experiences as to how to raise the level of technology in a cluster which use the same or similar technologies. The number of such clusters in India range from 400 to 1000 depending upon definition used based on number of units. But the fact remains that a large number of MSMEs in these clusters continue to struggle with obsolete technologies. Drawing from experiences of Italy, UK and other countries the experts shared their insights. For most MSMEs technology advancement is largely through better machines. Welcoming delegates, I pointed out that the recent credit guarantee backed scheme for collateral free loans up to Rs.100 crore was a great step. At present for MSMEs on record, access to funds is not as difficult as the information about new technologies and advanced machines. One of the needs that emerged during the conference was benchmarking of technology used in different clusters. As majority of MSMEs rely on a handful of suppliers of machines, it could be worth exploring funding development of prototypes of advanced machines which could be produced in large quantities if found suitable. Such initiatives could encourage machine producers to risk taking a leap in technology advancement. We aim to come out with a report with pragmatic solutions discussed and debated in the conference.
The Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) organised a two day international conference on “Strategies for Mass Scale Technological Upgradation for MSMEs: Global Experiences and Lessons for India” on 7th and 8th March 2025 in New Delhi. Sandeep Kishore Jain, President, FISME, delivered the welcome address, followed by a special address from Guest of Honour Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, who emphasised the government's commitment to supporting technological transformation in the sector. The Chief Guest, Rajendra Agrawal, Convenor of Friends of MSMEs in Parliament and Former MP from Meerut underscored the significance of policy support to facilitate technology adoption among small businesses. The event brought together experts from around the world to discuss innovative approaches and share experiences relevant to the Indian MSME sector. The conference featured eminent speakers namely Dr. Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General, INSME, Rome, Italy; Dr. Sangeeta Khorana, Aston University, UK; Kate Foster, International affairs and trade policy at Federation of Small Businesses (FSB); Cristiano Massimo Pasini, Director and Representative, UNIDO; Mukesh Gulati, Executive Director at Foundation for MSME Clusters; P. Shyam Sunder, Director Bureau of Energy Efficiency; and Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singh, CGM, SIDBI. They offered insights on global best practices, financing mechanisms and policy measures to accelerate technology adoption among Indian MSMEs.
Building a startup isn't about chasing certainty — it's about learning to thrive in the unknown. Growth, risk and opportunity collide at every turn, creating a dynamic that's as exhilarating as it is precarious. Fragility, momentum and reinvestment aren't just forces at play; they're defining elements of the entrepreneurial journey.
My experiences, from building an early services business to co-founding Density and now leading Bread, have taught me that success doesn't come from avoiding these forces. It comes from understanding their interplay and navigating them with intention.
India's industrial activity recorded a significant upturn in January 2025, with the manufacturing sector serving as the primary catalyst for growth, according to a recent report by ICICI Bank Global Markets.
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) registered a 5.0 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in January, marking an improvement from the 3.5 percent growth observed in December 2024. The manufacturing sector demonstrated robust performance, expanding by 5.5 percent YoY in January, a substantial improvement from the 3.0 percent YoY growth recorded in the previous month.
India must achieve an 8 per cent GDP growth rate to ensure sustainable progress, said Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI).
While the current growth rate hovers around 6 per cent, Setty believes this slowdown is temporary and that India's long-term economic trajectory remains strong. Encouragingly, private consumption is rebounding, as indicated by a rise in Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) to 7.6 per cent. However, some sectors, such as automobiles, have seen a slowdown since December.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Lakhpati Didi programme in Vansi Borsi village, Navsari district, Gujarat on International Women's Day, where he launched two significant schemes aimed at rural development and women's empowerment.
The Prime Minister unveiled G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods) and G-MAITRI (Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income).
India has prioritised the formulation, revision, and updating of Indian Standards across various ministries and sectors, with approximately 23,000 standards currently in force. Compliance with certain standards has been made mandatory through Quality Control Orders (QCOs), which are notified by concerned regulators and line ministries based on considerations including public interest, protection of health and safety, environmental protection, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security.
The Steel Research Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) unveiled three new research and development schemes alongside a web portal during an event titled ‘Catalyzing R&D in the Indian Steel Sector’ held at New Delhi, on Wednesday.
The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Indian steel industry and academia, with support from the Ministry of Steel. Minister of State for Steel & Heavy Industries, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, officially launched the R&D schemes and the SRTMI web portal.
India witnessed a remarkable surge in solar power capacity addition in 2024, more than doubling to 25.2 gigawatts (GW) compared to 8.3 GW in 2023, according to a report by US-based research firm Mercom Capital.
The sharp increase was primarily driven by the commissioning of delayed projects, the report noted. Large-scale solar projects, including solar open access, contributed over 87 per cent of the total capacity additions, while rooftop solar accounted for nearly 13 per cent. Within the large-scale segment, installations under the open access model made up over 31 per cent of the new capacity.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petition filed by Idemia Syscom India Private Limited seeking the appointment of an arbitrator in its dispute with M/s Conjoinix Total Solutions Private Limited.
The Court ruled that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, being a specific legislation, would override the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Court observed that the MSMED Act, having a non-obstante clause, prevails over the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The dispute arose from an IT services contract between the parties for a project awarded by the State Transport Department, Orissa. A Service Framework Agreement was executed on February 9, 2022.
The Tamil Nadu government has earmarked Rs 1,918 crore for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department as part of its comprehensive strategy to expand industrial infrastructure, foster entrepreneurship, and support traditional artisans across the state.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced that the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) will develop nine new industrial estates throughout the state with an investment of Rs 366 crore.
In a strategic move to expand its industrial land bank, the Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked 450 acres from six closed textile mills.
This acquisition is part of a broader initiative to create a substantial land reserve of 150,000 acres by 2027 for industrial development. The land parcels, which will be acquired by the UP State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), belong to defunct mills under the UP Cooperative Spinning Mills Federation.
A day after the All Gujarat Diamond Association (AGDA) submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighting the financial struggles of diamond artisans, the Gujarat government initiated relief measures.
In response to the plea, the CM directed junior education minister Praful Pansheriya, junior home minister Harsh Sanghavi, and additional chief secretary MK Das to assess the crisis and propose solutions. “We have been tasked with identifying the challenges faced by the diamond industry and its workers and proposing solutions,” Pansheriya told TOI.
Bengal's food processing industry has committed an investment of Rs 181 crore under the Centre's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
If this investment meets all stipulated conditions, the central government will provide a subsidy of Rs 1,200 crore over five years to bolster the state's food processing sector. The announcement was made by Subrata Gupta, Union Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, during an industry interaction event organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on Monday.
India is set to enhance its strategic partnership with Mauritius by signing a maritime agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to the island nation.
The agreement, once finalised, will facilitate the exchange of information between the Indian and Mauritian navies and coast guards on commercial shipping in their respective territorial waters. The white shipping agreement is expected to bolster India’s maritime security by providing a closer watch over the western Indian Ocean. The move comes as China continues to expand its presence in the region, and amid the ongoing U.S. strategic pivot to Asia.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed Parliament on Tuesday that India and the United States are planning to negotiate a mutually beneficial trade agreement focusing on increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and enhancing supply chain integration across multiple sectors. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Prasada clarified that the United States has not imposed reciprocal tariffs on India despite concerns following the US Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs issued on February 13.
According to the FISME factor, 100% of MSMEs think that the RBI's proposal to waive foreclosure charges will bring desired relief to MSMEs.
As companies continue to roll out return-to-work mandates, many human resources (HR) leaders are facing resistance from employees who have grown accustomed to remote or hybrid flexibility. While some may be concerned about work-life balance, others might question the necessity of in-office policies altogether.
Getting into strategic partnerships can also open new financial avenues. Collaborating with like-minded businesses can help in cost-sharing, expanding the customer base, and enhancing market reach without putting excessive financial strain on one’s business. Also, honing negotiation skills will add value to finances as every penny saved is a penny earned. In totality, strong goals, handling proper cash flow, securing regular funding, and consistently keeping one updated on financial knowledge, will help minimize errors and ensure continuous business growth.
We live in a world where so much of our success is determined by superficial things. Whether it's the car you drive, the house you own or the places you holiday in, there is a belief that what you have to show for yourself indicates your level of worth. After years of working in the marketing industry, I'd argue that this is far from the case when it comes to business.
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) industry bodies have urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to revise regulations governing e-commerce exports. The request was made during a meeting with the central bank in Ahmedabad last week. According to an industry source familiar with the discussions, MSME representatives highlighted challenges in the current system, which requires manual matching of shipping bills with inward remittances (IRMs).
Leading FMCG company BL Agro has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cattle breeding and dairy centre in Bareilly with an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
The Centre of Excellence for Cow Breeding and Dairy Technology, operated by subsidiary firm BL Khamdhenu, was formally inaugurated by Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday.
NAPS Global India's share price made a strong debut on the BSE SME platform today, opening at Rs 108, which represents a 20 premium over the issue price of Rs 90.
The company's initial public offering (IPO) was open for subscription from Tuesday, March 5, until Thursday, March 6. The IPO was priced at Rs 90 per equity share with a face value of Rs 10 each.
“ Books are infinite in number and time is short. The secret of knowledge is to take what is essential. Take that and try to live up to it. ”
