Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the MSME Conclave 2025, organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Jammu, emphasizing the critical role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India’s economic growth. He welcomed entrepreneurs, bankers, investors, and industry leaders, encouraging strategic collaborations.
Highlighting the significant growth of the MSME sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Sinha noted the surge in MSME exports from Rs. 3.95 lakh crore in 2020-21 to Rs. 12.39 lakh crore in 2024-25. He stressed the sector’s pivotal role in employment generation, entrepreneurship promotion, and overall economic development, anticipating further momentum from the central government’s budget.
Sinha outlined key reforms in Jammu and Kashmir’s MSME sector, reiterating the Government of India’s commitment to industrial growth in the region. He emphasized the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem to attract investment, with thousands of units becoming operational. He focused on the importance of technology adoption, innovation, and skill development for a successful MSME ecosystem, aiming to establish J&K as a hub of entrepreneurial excellence.
He pointed to economic reforms, accessible credit, improved ease of doing business, attractive incentives, and new policies as drivers of hope for J&K’s MSME sector. Sinha cautioned against irresponsible statements that could undermine investor confidence and hinder progress. He stressed the importance of continued, unhindered industrial growth for the benefit of the Union Territory’s people.
Sinha urged a focus on scaling up micro and small units to medium enterprises, emphasizing the need for policy makers and stakeholders to address marketing, brand-building, infrastructure, and raw material availability. He also suggested that MSMEs should explore opportunities in domestic markets, particularly in PV cells, EV batteries, and electric equipment, alongside exports.
He underscored the MSME sector’s contribution to GDP and its vital role in realizing India’s development goals, calling for prioritized progress in this sector.
Attendees included Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department J&K; Rahul Sahai, Chairman, IIC Jammu Chapter; Debmalya Banerjee, Regional Director, Indian Chamber of Commerce; Dr Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Industries & Commerce Department Jammu, and other senior officials, members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, entrepreneurs, bankers, investors, and industry experts.
