MSMEs need to be integrated into larger supply chains to drive real competitiveness and achieve 7-8% growth – Suman Bery

“Growth happens through innovation and gains from trade, but sustaining momentum is harder when you're doing well. The challenge is to keep pushing forward—India’s corporate sector must step up, and MSMEs need to be integrated into larger supply chains to drive real competitiveness and achieve 7-8% growth” said Mr Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog & Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Government of India. He was speaking during a fireside chat in the CII National Conference on Responsive Supply Chain for Indian Manufacturing, in New Delhi today.

Speaking on India’s growth prospects, Mr Bery said that "India has staged a remarkable economic recovery post-COVID, emerging as the fastest-growing large economy in the world, as acknowledged by the IMF. With moderate inflation and declining poverty levels, the country is on a strong growth trajectory. The challenge now is to sustain and accelerate this momentum."

Mr Bery also said that “Historically, India has functioned as a collection of regional economies rather than a single integrated market. But with GST and major infrastructure investments, we are now transitioning into a truly unified national economy. This integration will be one of the most powerful drivers of India's future growth."

Highlighting the importance of sustainability, Mr Bery said that “As the world moves towards greener supply chains, Indian enterprises—both large and small—must adapt. Sustainability is no longer just about compliance; it is becoming a core factor in global competitiveness. MSMEs must be supported in this transition, ensuring they are part of a greener, more resilient industrial ecosystem."

Speaking at the Conference Mr Deepak Shetty, Chairman, CII Council on Manufacturing Excellence and CEO and Managing Director, JCB India Ltd said “for two decades, services have been the dominant growth driver. Now, the time has come for manufacturing to take center stage, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World.’ With ongoing Ease of Doing Business reforms dismantling outdated rules and decriminalizing business laws, India is creating a more enabling environment for entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and investment."

Mr Sagar Kadu, Director (Logistics Division), DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, said that “PM Gati Shakti is backed by a robust digital GIS-based support system, along with a strong institutional mechanism where multiple ministries sit together to collectively review and coordinate these projects. By breaking silos and promoting integrated planning, we have successfully identified and covered major connectivity projects, linking industrial nodes, ports, and civil infrastructure."

In his remarks, Mr Dilip Sawhney, Chairman, CII National Committee on Smart Manufacturing, and Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India Pvt Ltd said that “In today's interconnected world, global supply chain disruptions are forcing manufacturers to rethink their strategies to reduce risk and optimize costs. This is India's moment to step up, move fast, and establish itself as a key player on the global stage”. He further added that “Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has very timely initiated the ‘Gati Shakti’ program, which aims to build multimodal connectivity, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce costs. This initiative is structured around three major economic corridor programs, all designed to ensure logistics efficiency and cost reduction".

6 March 2025

New Delhi