Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on Monday said that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are opening new opportunities for India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to integrate into global supply chains and expand their presence in international markets.
Addressing the National MSME Awards Ceremony organised by the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), Prasada said recent trade agreements with major markets, including the European Union as well as countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, are creating greater market access for Indian manufacturers.
He noted that nearly 65 per cent of developed markets are now covered under India’s FTAs, offering MSMEs significant opportunities to meet international demand and become part of global production networks.
Highlighting the role of MSMEs in the Indian economy, the minister said the sector must focus on quality-led growth. He emphasised that Indian manufacturers need to move beyond scale and low-cost production towards high-quality manufacturing to meet the expectations of global markets.
Prasada added that zero-duty market access under FTAs does not mean that low-quality products can enter the domestic market, noting that Indian consumers—including those in rural areas with expanding digital access—are increasingly demanding better-quality goods.
The minister also stressed the importance of technology adoption, stating that Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a critical tool across sectors such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing and services. He encouraged MSMEs to adopt AI-driven technologies to improve productivity, efficiency and decision-making while reducing routine operational burdens.
Speaking at the event, Subhransu Sekhar Acharya, Chairman and Managing Director of the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), highlighted the need to promote women-led development through targeted support, digital empowerment and skill development initiatives.
He referred to the Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) initiative promoted by NSIC, which aims to onboard five lakh MSMEs onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform, with a target that 50 per cent of the enterprises should be women-led.
Meanwhile, Poonam Sharma, National President of the FICCI Ladies Organisation, highlighted the growing role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth across sectors ranging from startups and manufacturing to technology and space.
She said MSMEs play a vital role in employment generation, innovation and strengthening local economies, with women-led enterprises contributing significantly to inclusive growth.
Sharma also outlined initiatives taken by FLO to support women entrepreneurs, including the FLO MSME Assist Cell, which connects women-led enterprises with industry experts, mentors and specialists in areas such as funding, marketing, expansion strategies, technology adoption and business skill development.
During the ceremony, 11 women MSME entrepreneurs were honoured for their contributions. The event was attended by Member of Parliament Anurag Sharma, FLO MSME Initiatives Head Ruby Garg and several past presidents of the organisation.
