CII Summit Puts MSME Export Competitiveness in Focus

21 October 2026: MSME Secretary Bharat Khera urged stronger MSME export competitiveness at CII’s 23rd Global MSME Business Summit in New Delhi on 13 October 2026. He called for better quality and reliable delivery, while CII launched a study and trade-agreement compendium to help smaller firms reach overseas buyers.

The sector’s economic weight gives those priorities national importance. The Ministry of Finance’s Economic Survey 2025-26 summary, published on 29 January 2026, puts MSMEs’ contribution at approximately 35.4% of manufacturing and 48.58% of exports. These are contribution shares, not growth rates.

What will improve MSME export competitiveness?

Khera urged enterprises to combine consistent quality with competitive costs, technology adoption and higher productivity. Meeting international standards and delivery schedules, he said, would help Indian businesses become dependable suppliers in global value chains.

He also called for better access to finance, skills and quality infrastructure, alongside targeted help for first-time exporters and businesses facing logistics constraints. For printing manufacturers, the quality discussion connects with practical issues such as printing-sector quality certification.

The Secretary set out five connected government priorities:

Enterprise formalisation.
Access to finance.
Quality and technology adoption.
Export competitiveness and global market access.
Entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

He asked larger companies to support smaller suppliers through technology transfer, vendor development and supply-chain integration. Stronger ties between government, industry, academia and financial institutions would also support that effort.

Study to examine barriers to growth

CII said the CII–ISB Pan-India MSME Study covers 28 states, eight Union Territories and 40 industry sectors. It aims to identify business constraints, growth ambitions and barriers to scaling, providing evidence for targeted policy recommendations.

The study also seeks to strengthen connections between MSMEs and larger enterprises, particularly original equipment manufacturers. CII’s announcement described the study’s scope and intended use; it did not present completed findings.

FTA compendium explains market-entry requirements

The CII FTA Compendium for MSMEs aims to explain tariff preferences, rules of origin, product standards, certification procedures and documentation. Khera stressed that firms need to understand these requirements to make use of India’s trade agreements.

CII also outlined export-market assessments, FTA guidance and market-entry advice. The Ministry expressed interest in working with CII on practical follow-up measures. That focus on partnerships connects with the wider discussion of MSME international cooperation.

Industry seeks simpler compliance and export finance

Sunil Chordia, Chairman of the CII National MSME Council, called for simpler compliance, consistent small-enterprise definitions and decriminalisation of minor offences. He also sought cluster-based development, shared capabilities and stronger links with domestic buyers. Chordia called for a more supportive approach to environmental compliance.

Somany Ceramics Chairman and Managing Director Shreekant Somany urged investment in modern manufacturing, digital tools, skilled workers and sustainable practices. His call for better finance and export credit is relevant to apparel MSMEs considering sector-specific banking support. He also sought improved customs processes and shared industrial infrastructure.

Ashok Saigal, Chairman–Policy of the CII National MSME Council, argued that export growth depends on quality, efficiency and productivity that support competitive pricing. These industry proposals remain requests, not newly approved government measures.