Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
India’s MSMEs urged to improve quality and costs to benefit from trade deals
India’s MSMEs have new opportunities from expanding trade agreements that could help them reach more international markets.
At a business summit in New Delhi, MSME ministry secretary Bharat Khera said those opportunities will not automatically lead to growth.
Businesses need reliable quality and competitive prices to win and keep global customers.
The sector accounts for 30% of India’s GDP and about 49% of its exports, making its competitiveness important to the wider economy.
Khera said government export schemes should be paired with practical help, especially for businesses exporting for the first time.
He also called for better testing facilities and more businesses to gain recognised certifications, with higher-level certifications still uncommon.
The next step is to strengthen quality, productivity and export support so more Indian MSMEs can compete in global markets.
India’s MSMEs need to improve product quality and cost competitiveness to benefit from expanding free trade agreements, MSME ministry secretary Bharat Khera said.
Khera said trade opportunities do not automatically lead to growth and called for practical support for first-time exporters.
He identified formalisation, finance, technology and quality, export competitiveness, and enterprise development as government priorities.
The MSME sector accounts for 30% of India’s GDP and around 49% of its exports.
A CII and Indian School of Business study found that 32% of surveyed MSMEs held recognised certification.
- Who
- MSME ministry secretary Bharat Khera and India’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
- What
- Khera urged MSMEs to improve quality and cost competitiveness to benefit from trade agreements.
- When
- Tuesday; the article was published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- At the CII Global MSME Business Summit in New Delhi.
- Why
- To help MSMEs convert new trade opportunities into growth and expand their presence in global markets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- MSME share of GDP
- 30%
- MSME share of exports
- Around 49%
- Surveyed MSMEs with recognised certification
- 32%
- Non-certified respondents citing no customer requirement
- 50.9%
- Non-certified respondents citing lack of awareness
- 30.4%
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What people are saying
The opportunity does not automatically translate into growth,
Formalisation improves access to finance, technology and quality upgrades support productivity, and stronger export capabilities create opportunities for sustainable growth,