The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises convened the fifth meeting of the National MSME Council at NASC Complex, PUSA Road, New Delhi, to review the progress of the World Bank–supported Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance Programme and advance reforms aimed at strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem.
The National MSME Council functions as the administrative and coordination body for the RAMP Programme, overseeing inter-ministerial collaboration, Centre–State synergies and reform implementation in the MSME sector. The programme focuses on improving access to markets and credit, strengthening institutional capacity and governance at the Centre and State levels, enhancing Centre–State linkages, addressing delayed payments and promoting the greening of MSMEs.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for MSME Jitan Ram Manjhi. In his address, he called upon States and Union Territories to intensify efforts for promotion and development of the MSME sector, emphasising that sustained growth in the sector would generate income, create employment and contribute to national economic expansion. He underlined the need to build globally competitive MSMEs and stressed deeper coordination between Central and State initiatives.
During the meeting, Jitan Ram Manjhi launched the Udyami Bharat Portal, an integrated digital platform developed as a One Stop Shop for MSME services under the Digital India Mission. The portal consolidates all Ministry of MSME portals and services and integrates platforms of other Central Ministries, Departments and State Governments, enabling seamless access to schemes, services and information.
The Minister also launched the MSME Technology Transfer Platform, a unified digital system designed to provide MSMEs access to advanced technologies, testing facilities, skill development resources and intellectual property commercialisation support. He highlighted the importance of accelerating support for MSMEs owned by women and marginalised communities to ensure inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.
Sebastian Eckardt, Regional Director for the World Bank, expressed satisfaction in partnering with the Ministry of MSME under the RAMP Programme. He noted that the initiative supports greening, gender inclusion, improved access to finance and innovations such as online dispute resolution mechanisms for MSMEs. He conveyed the World Bank’s interest in further mobilising private capital, enhancing enterprise competitiveness and supporting sustainable job creation across India.
Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, reviewed the growth trajectory of the MSME sector over the past four years and urged States and Union Territories to expedite implementation of approved RAMP projects. He encouraged States to leverage the Ministry’s initiatives to maximise scheme benefits for MSMEs, thereby contributing to the success of the national MSME agenda.
Representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, Manipur, Nagaland and Odisha presented success stories under the RAMP Programme, showcasing reforms and interventions undertaken at the State level to improve MSME performance.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Central Ministries and Departments, officials from State and Union Territory governments, SIDBI, NSIC and other stakeholders.
The deliberations underscored the Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional coordination, digital integration and reform-driven competitiveness in the MSME sector, reinforcing its central role in employment generation, industrial growth and inclusive economic development.
