New Delhi, September 1: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Tuesday that India’s manufacturing vision should be rooted in the principles of ‘Make in India, Make for India, and Make for the World.’ He urged MSMEs to seize emerging global trade opportunities and transform themselves into competitive players on the international stage.
Addressing an MSME event in Greater Noida, Singh encouraged small and medium enterprises to invest a portion of their turnover in research, development, and technology upgrades. He also motivated them to strengthen their technical capabilities by partnering with universities, IITs, research institutions, DRDO labs, startups, and large industries.
The Defense Minister emphasized that the vision of ‘Developed India 2047’ represents a nation that is globally competitive in manufacturing, a leader in technology and innovation, and self-reliant in strategic and economic capabilities, while also creating ample employment opportunities for the youth.
Highlighting the changing global supply chain and the increasing demand for reliable manufacturing partners, Singh noted that these developments present a significant opportunity for Indian MSMEs to expand their presence in international markets.
He referenced the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen trade partnerships through free trade agreements (FTAs) with major countries, including the USA, UK, New Zealand, Oman, Switzerland, and the European Union.
“These FTA networks open a vast reservoir of global trade and export opportunities for MSMEs and industries. They should fully leverage these international partnerships and trade agreements through government schemes like credit guarantee expansion and GST rationalization to ensure Indian products reach every corner of the world,” Singh stated.
He mentioned that the number of MSMEs in India has increased from approximately 46.7 million in 2012-13 to nearly 80 million today, reflecting the country’s growing entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Singh identified sectors such as drones, artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, advanced electronics, sensors, autonomous systems, advanced materials, space, and quantum technologies as key areas offering significant opportunities for MSMEs.
He concluded by saying, “Indian MSMEs must establish their identity in global markets through quality and reliability. This is especially crucial in the defense sector, where the reliability of every component directly impacts the operational effectiveness of the armed forces.”
Leave a Comment