The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector forms the backbone of our economy. To achieve our vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India, India’s six crore-plus MSMEs will play a critical role. The sector contributes about 30% to India’s GDP, almost 50% to our exports, and employs more than 11 crore people. It has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector, fostering entrepreneurship and generating employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas at comparatively low capital costs, next only to agriculture.
Showcasing 'Made in India' products
To help the sector realise its true potential and optimise its contribution to the economy, exports, and employment generation, we need to not only encourage manufacturing and entrepreneurship, but also clear the pathway for MSMEs to expand internationally. Indian MSMEs are uniquely positioned to further integrate themselves into global supply chains and diversify our export portfolio. E-commerce exports offers them an unprecedented opportunity in this regard. The rapid adoption of cross-border e-commerce has made it significantly easier for MSMEs to export and is enabling them to showcase products such as handicrafts, jewellery, home, toys, textiles, and so on, to the world.
Over 1,25,000 exporters on Amazon’s Global Selling program
I congratulate programs such as Amazon Global Selling that are offering these enterprises the chance to tap into overseas market opportunities and gain direct access to customers across the world. The presence of over 1,25,000 Indian MSME exporters on Amazon’s Global Selling program is a strong indicator of the potential that cross-border ecommerce holds for India. I encourage MSMEs to make leverage the technology, research, and innovation offered by this platform to understand what customers in international markets want from India and innovate their products accordingly.
Cultural brand ambassadors
Our MSMEs are not simply India’s global economic brand ambassadors, but also our cultural brand ambassadors. They sell both high-quality modern and traditional Indian products to customers across the world, spreading awareness of India’s rich history of arts and crafts and sustaining our small industries. It is important that we help them move up the value chain and become the preferred choice of millions of customers in advanced economies. I believe that with the right set of enabling policies and efforts to spread awareness and support MSMEs in adopting cross-border ecommerce, we can become a global export powerhouse, and turn our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision into reality.
