Page 2 - Msmes

Best of BS Opinion: Credit guarantee scheme will help small businesses

Today's opinion wrap explores the economic fallout of the West Asia conflict, digital governance reforms, telecom disaster preparedness and the growing role of AI in policymaking

Manufacturing sentiment improves in Q4 despite rising cost pressures: Ficci

India's manufacturing sector remained resilient in Q4 FY26 despite rising input costs and geopolitical disruptions, according to Ficci's latest survey

North Tech Symposium: 'India's military might forged in defence factories'

The government credited Indian forces for neutralising terror threats during Operation Sindoor, highlighting that the use of "Made-in-India" equipment significantly enhanced operational effectiveness

Retail, agri credit growth pace to continue: Indian Bank MD & CEO

Indian Bank's CEO flags continued deposit pressure and cautious margin outlook even as credit growth and asset quality remain stable

Pvt banks expect pickup in retail credit in FY27; corp, MSME lending strong

Corporate and MSME loans power credit growth as retail lending lags, but banks expect a pickup in FY27

Bolstering mechanism for timely dues can give MSMEs a leg up in tough times

RBI's proposed TReDS reforms aim to ease MSME onboarding, improve credit flow and reduce payment delays, strengthening working capital access in uncertain times

India's digitalisation reforms improved productivity in MSMEs: IMF paper

India's digitalisation reforms in public administration have improved productivity in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in states that have embraced such changes, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a working paper. The authors compared the productivity of unincorporated manufacturing firms in states that have undertaken more digitalisation reforms with those having fewer such changes in public administration. "We find that states that undertake more public administration digitalisation experience higher productivity growth and lower productivity dispersion among firms," economists Somnath Sharma and Kenichi Ueda. MSMEs contribute around 35 per cent of manufacturing output in India, employ around 110 million workers and contribute about 45 per cent of the overall exports from India. Most MSMEs are not formally registered as companies under India's Companies Act of 1956 and only a few studies have been done on the impact of the business environment reforms on the

DRDO unveils two advanced armoured platforms for Indian defence forces

Two key armoured platforms designed and developed by the DRDO, to meet the emerging operational requirements of the armed forces, were unveiled on Saturday. The Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked and Wheeled), designed and developed by Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, were unveiled by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO, Samir V Kamat at the premises of the DRDO's laboratory in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, the defence ministry said. "The platforms have been developed to meet the emerging operational requirements of the defence forces," it said in a statement. Both the platforms have been integrated with indigenously designed and developed 30 mm crewless turret, with advanced features to meet the mobility, fire power and protection requirements, it said. The 30 mm crewless turret along with the 7.62 mm PKT gun is configured to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles as well. The base design has the capabilities to be configured for multiple roles. ...

Small business credit growth slows to 14.9 per cent: CRIF-SIDBI report

India's small business credit portfolio remains resilient at ₹47.8 lakh crore, though growth moderated amid a higher base, even as smaller-ticket loans gained share

Why India's AI ambitions demand a reset in virtualisation strategy

AI adoption accelerates across sectors, India must rethink virtualisation models to ensure cost efficiency, flexibility, and secure infrastructure capable of supporting scalable and inclusive growth

Govt explores ECLGS-like credit scheme for MSMEs amid West Asia crisis

The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises is in touch with the Department of Financial Services to explore an ECLGS-like credit guarantee scheme to support MSMEs amid the West Asia crisis, a senior official stated on Wednesday. Responding to a media query on whether a credit guarantee scheme was in the works for MSMEs, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Rajneesh said, "We are in constant touch with the Department of Financial Services regarding ECLGS kind of a mechanism. So, at an appropriate stage I will be in a position to share further details on this". The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was launched in May 2020 as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support eligible MSMEs and enterprises in meeting their operational liabilities and restarting their businesses in the context of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme covers all the sectors. Field officers of the MSME Ministry are in constant

Govt should cap product testing charges under quality control order: GTRI

The government should cap testing charges for routine industrial products as high costs to comply with the quality control orders (QCOs) may impact the country's manufacturing and small importers, think tank GTRI said on Tuesday. While the QCO policy aims to improve product quality and consumer safety, the pace of expansion is putting pressure on testing infrastructure and has created significant compliance bottlenecks for MSMEs, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. "India's expanding quality control regime is imposing such high testing and certification costs that many MSME importers may be pushed out of business, leaving the market increasingly dominated by large importers," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. The charges arise under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under which foreign manufacturers of products covered by India's Quality Control Orders have to obtain BIS certification before exporting to ...

Centre eyes TReDS extension to defence procurement to ease MSME payments

Government is exploring extending TReDS to defence procurement to improve MSME liquidity, address delayed payments, and encourage greater participation in the sector

Lenders favour MSME loan restructuring over moratorium amid stress

Banks prefer restructuring MSME loans over moratoriums to maintain credit discipline, as stress from US tariffs and the West Asia crisis raises concerns over repayment capacity

RBI simplifies MSME onboarding on TReDS, removes due diligence norm

RBI proposes removing due diligence requirement for MSMEs on TReDS platform to improve access to working capital and encourage wider participation

MSME, retail demand to drive bank credit growth by 13% in FY27: Crisil

Newer options such as acquisition financing, now allowed for banks by the RBI, should also support credit growth

Beyond oil shock, Iran war is quietly straining India's financial system

A new report has flagged a delayed risk cycle for India from the US-Iran conflict, as liquidity tightens and cash-flow stress builds before defaults, even as headline indicators remain stable

Customs duty cut fails to lift plastic sector as input costs remain high

Industry says duty exemption on petrochemical imports has had limited impact as raw material prices stay elevated, demand weakens, and MSMEs face mounting stress

CII asks Finance Ministry for fiscal support amid West Asia crisis

Industry body proposes credit support, tax relief and policy steps to shield MSMEs, exporters and energy-intensive sectors from disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis

Rupee’s worst fall in 12 years, RBI curbs NDF trades, MSME moratorium push, RBL deal & more

RBI bars NDF trades with corporates The RBI has barred banks from offering rupee NDF contracts to corporate clients to curb speculation and stabilise the currency.