India targets big boost to MSME ties under 2026 BRICS Chairship
New Delhi, May 8
As Chair of BRICS in 2026, India is spearheading a renewed agenda for MSME cooperation under the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution.
During India's Chairship, the Ministry of MSME is mandated to convene three SME working group meetings and the inaugural BRICS MSME Forum.
The first SME Working Group Meeting was successfully convened online on 24th April 2026 with a specialised focus on "Access to Finance for MSMEs".
The deliberations among BRICS Member Countries centred on the themes of "Bridging the MSME Credit Gap through Financial Inclusion, Literacy and Credit Readiness" and "Fintech-Driven Ecosystems: Expanding SME Credit and Seamless Global Trade Payments".
The webinar witnessed active participation from BRICS Member Countries and served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and best practices on MSME financing challenges and opportunities.
Discussions highlighted the critical role of MSMEs as key drivers of economic growth, employment generation, innovation, and inclusive development, and underscored the persistent challenges relating to timely and adequate access to credit.
The deliberations emphasised the need for a multi-pronged approach to bridge the credit gap through financial inclusion and improved financial literacy and strengthening credit capacities of MSMEs.
The meeting further emphasised the importance of enhanced collaboration among BRICS economies to strengthen institutional capacities, promote innovative financing mechanisms, and build a supportive ecosystem for MSME finance.
The discussions also facilitated valuable policy exchange among BRICS Member Countries facing similar developmental challenges and reaffirmed the shared commitment towards fostering resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive MSME sectors across BRICS economies.
India has already signed agreements with countries like Japan, South Africa and New Zealand, which aim to boost closer cooperation in the MSME sector to boost growth in trade and investment.
The MSME sector is the backbone of India's manufacturing and industrial growth and the government is giving a big push to this sector to promote inclusive growth.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some real action on BRICS beyond the geopolitical headlines! MSME cooperation is where the rubber meets the road. India's chairmanship should push for simplified cross-border payments for small exporters.
Practical steps like the SME Working Group are welcome, but let's not forget the on-ground reality. Many small units in Ludhiana or Tirupur still rely on informal lenders at high interest. The "credit readiness" part is key – banks need to simplify documentation.
Love the focus on fintech-driven ecosystems! UPI is already a global benchmark. If we can extend similar digital payment rails to B2B trade between BRICS nations, it'll be a game-changer for small exporters struggling with high transaction costs.
Good to see India leading on this. But the article doesn't mention any concrete targets or funding commitments. The BRICS New Development Bank should create a dedicated MSME credit line with lower interest. Otherwise these meetings remain just talk shops.
As someone running a small export business in Coimbatore, I can say access to working capital is our biggest headache. If BRICS can standardize documentation and reduce collateral requirements across member countries, that would really help.
S Siddharth J < We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.