MSME Conclave at VGRC Surat: Digital push, global trade access in focus
Synopsis
At the VGRC MSME Conclave in Surat, government officials and international diplomats mapped out a digital and diplomatic roadmap for Indian MSMEs — from Industry 4.0 adoption and single-window clearances to BRICS trade linkages and geopolitical supply chain risks. The session signals a sharper policy push to make MSMEs the backbone of India's self-reliance agenda.
Key Takeaways
The MSME Conclave was held at Auro University, Surat on 2 May 2025 as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) .
DPIIT Secretary Nirja Shekhar stressed domestic production, employment creation, and integration of MSMEs with start-ups and global platforms like BRICS .
Industry 4.0 , Gati Shakti 4.0 , and single-window clearance systems were highlighted as key enablers for MSME growth.
Former UAE Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir and Russian representative Zlata Atuzheva addressed geopolitical disruptions to supply chains, including risks around the Strait of Hormuz .
Sector-specific challenges in pharmaceuticals and textiles , along with AI adoption and cybersecurity concerns, were examined.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were identified as a pivotal driver of India's push towards global competitiveness and self-reliance at the MSME Conclave held during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Surat on 2 May 2025. The session, convened at Auro University on the second day of the conference, brought together government officials, industry experts, and international representatives to chart pathways for MSME growth through digital transformation, supply chain integration, and expanded export access.
Key Themes: Digitisation and Industry 4.0
Discussions centred on how Industry 4.0 technologies, digital tools, and Gati Shakti 4.0 initiatives could sharpen the efficiency and global reach of small and medium enterprises. Experts underscored the role of single-window clearance systems and improved access to government schemes in reducing procedural hurdles for businesses. The integration of MSMEs with start-ups was flagged as a critical lever for building a more resilient industrial ecosystem.
Amit Dharava outlined various government initiatives for MSMEs, covering policy support frameworks, digitisation measures, and administrative facilitation systems designed to improve ease of doing business and deepen industry engagement with public services.
What Government Officials Said
Nirja Shekhar, Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), stressed the importance of domestic production, employment creation, and incentive-based policy frameworks. She noted that large-scale infrastructure projects — including the bullet train project — were being viewed as integral to India's long-term development trajectory.
Shekhar also highlighted efforts to connect Indian enterprises with global platforms such as BRICS, enabling greater participation in business-to-business collaborations and facilitating memorandums of understanding to expand international trade opportunities.
International Perspectives: Geopolitics and Supply Chains
The conclave drew an international dimension, with former United Arab Emirates Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir and Russian representative Zlata Atuzheva addressing disruptions in global trade and the impact of geopolitical tensions on supply chains. They referred to challenges affecting key maritime and cargo routes, including strategic corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz, and their broader implications for global commerce.
Participants discussed economic diplomacy and tariff structures, with a particular focus on strengthening India's trade relations with Russia and improving MSME export competitiveness. This comes amid a broader global reconfiguration of trade alliances, in which India is actively seeking to diversify its export partnerships.
Sector-Specific Issues and Emerging Technologies
Sector-specific challenges in the pharmaceutical and textile industries were examined, covering production constraints, export logistics, and value chain strengthening. Artificial intelligence was identified as a potential growth enabler for MSMEs, even as rising concerns around cybersecurity and data protection were flagged as businesses expand their digital footprint.
Outcomes and the Road Ahead
Delegates noted that the conclave provided a framework for enhancing global competitiveness, accelerating technological adoption, and supporting MSMEs in securing a stronger position in international markets. With MSMEs accounting for a significant share of India's employment and export base, the policy and diplomatic signals from Surat are expected to feed into broader national MSME strategy deliberations in the months ahead.
Point of View
Credible speakers, and sector-specific diagnoses — but the gap between conference declarations and ground-level MSME access to credit, technology, and export infrastructure remains wide. The inclusion of former diplomats addressing Strait of Hormuz risks and Russia trade ties signals that India's MSME policy is increasingly being framed within a geopolitical context, not just a domestic productivity one. That is a meaningful shift. The real test will be whether the BRICS linkages and single-window promises translate into measurable export growth for the micro and small end of the spectrum — the segment that typically benefits least from high-level conclaves.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the MSME Conclave at VGRC Surat about?
The MSME Conclave, held on 2 May 2025 at Auro University in Surat as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, focused on digital transformation, supply chain integration, and international market access for Indian MSMEs. Discussions covered Industry 4.0 technologies, government policy frameworks, and economic diplomacy.
Who were the key speakers at the MSME Conclave?
Key speakers included DPIIT Secretary Nirja Shekhar, government official Amit Dharava, former UAE Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir, and Russian representative Zlata Atuzheva. They addressed topics ranging from domestic policy support to geopolitical trade disruptions.
What government initiatives were highlighted for MSMEs at the conclave?
Officials highlighted single-window clearance systems, Industry 4.0 and Gati Shakti 4.0 initiatives, incentive-based policy frameworks, and efforts to link MSMEs with global platforms such as BRICS for B2B collaboration and MoU-based trade expansion.
How does geopolitics affect Indian MSMEs according to the conclave?
Former UAE Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir and Russian representative Zlata Atuzheva noted that geopolitical tensions are disrupting key maritime and cargo routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, affecting supply chains and export logistics for Indian businesses, including MSMEs in pharmaceuticals and textiles.
Why are MSMEs important to India's self-reliance goals?
MSMEs contribute significantly to India's employment generation, domestic manufacturing, and export growth. At the VGRC conclave, they were described as a key driver of the Self-Reliant India vision, with digital transformation and global trade integration seen as essential to enhancing their competitiveness.
