MSMEs can play a significant role in meeting growing domestic demand in Solar, Wind Energy, and battery storage solutions –

Mr Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, MNRE

"Batteries are a crucial component of the renewable energy sector, especially for solar and wind power storage. MSMEs can play a significant role in manufacturing these batteries domestically, reducing dependency on imports. As the energy transition accelerates, the need for efficient, cost-effective energy storage solutions will only increase, making battery production a key area for MSME involvement” said Mr Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

He was addressing the 21st edition of the Global MSME Business Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi today. He also said that “The renewable energy sector is not exclusive to big companies; smaller and mid-sized enterprises also have opportunities to enter the market, particularly in solar, wind energy, and battery storage solutions, where MSMEs can play a significant role in meeting growing demand.”

The theme of the summit was ‘Global Trade Transformations: Pathways for Partnerships’.

Addressing the Summit, Mr. Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, said “MSMEs are the backbone of supply chains, making their role vital for any country to fully participate in global trade. For long-term growth, India must deepen its integration into global supply chains, especially in critical sectors, while ensuring resilience and sustainability”

He also said "India’s historical emphasis on sustainability and circularity offers a strong foundation for building modern, sustainable supply chains. However, achieving this balance requires navigating the complex interplay between climate action and the developmental aspirations of a growing middle class, particularly in the absence of equitable access to technology and finance."

Mr Ateesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), said “India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy and achieving $2 trillion in exports hinges on trade-led growth that prioritizes innovation, quality, and sustainability. We can empower MSMEs to play a central role in driving this transformation”.

During her address, Dr Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, Additional Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME said “Public procurement policy for micro and small enterprises focuses on five critical objectives: public service delivery, fostering healthy competition, driving economic growth, creating sustainable jobs, and promoting inclusive development for a stronger economy."

Mr Ajit B Chavan, Additional CEO & Chief Seller Officer & Social Inclusion, Government e Marketplace (GeM), said "Transparency, Efficiency, and Inclusivity are at the core of GeM. Its fully digitized platform ensures market linkages for quality products and services while promoting competition and fair pricing."

Mr Sameer Gupta, Chairman, CII National MSME Council and CMD, Jakson Group said that among other initiatives, CII is advocating for a dedicated Success Rewards Programme inspired by the PLI scheme, the creation of an Industry 4.0 adoption fund, and the empowerment of small businesses through its flagship initiative, 'Digital Saksham,' which enhances productivity and competitiveness by equipping them with essential digital skills.

Mr M Ponnuswami, Co-Chairman, CII National MSME Council and CMD, Pon Pure Chemical India Pvt Ltd, said “we recommend the establishment of dedicated MSME cells within different departments in all the ministries to streamline support and enhance ease of doing business for MSMEs, fostering growth and resilience in the sector.”

A coffee table book on CII Mastercard project Digital Saksham was released during the summit by the Chief Guest, Mr Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. The Project has empowered over 280,000 micro-enterprises across 13 states and 55 cities, facilitating digital adoption for more than 80,000 enterprises and enabling 47,000 enterprises to integrate digital tools within the span of three years.

16 December 2024

New Delhi