BRICS MSME Forum Calls for Stronger Cooperation

The Inaugural BRICS MSME Forum 2026 was held in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on 19-20 June 2026 under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India. The forum brought together representatives from BRICS member and partner countries to discuss cooperation in the MSME sector.

BRICS and MSME Cooperation

BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies, and MSME refers to micro, small and medium enterprises. The BRICS MSME Forum is linked to policy discussions on finance, technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship development, and market access for small businesses.

Key Themes in the 2026 Forum

Union Minister of MSME Jitan Ram Manjhi referred to financing, technology adoption, sustainability, and market access as major issues for MSMEs across BRICS countries. Bharat Khera, Secretary in the Ministry of MSME, referred to technology adoption, sustainable manufacturing, digital transformation, skilling, and market access as areas for cooperation.

BRICS MSMEs Cooperation Framework

The BRICS MSMEs Cooperation Framework was adopted in 2023 under South Africa’s chairmanship. The framework covers women-owned MSMEs, youth-owned MSMEs, access to resources, and participation in global value chains.

Important Facts for Exams

• The first virtual meeting of the SME Working Group under India’s 2026 BRICS presidency was held on 24 April 2026.
• The second meeting of the BRICS SME Working Group was held on 26 May 2026 on the theme of enhancing access to technology for MSMEs.
• The BRICS MSME Exhibition was inaugurated during the forum by Bharat Khera.
• Uttar Pradesh MSME Minister Bhupendra Chaudhary referred to infrastructure, policy support, skill enhancement, and digital empowerment in the state’s MSME policy context.

Forum Activities and Institutional Context

The forum included presentations by government representatives from BRICS member and partner countries on best practices in MSME development. India’s 2026 BRICS presidency has placed MSME cooperation within discussions on finance and fintech-based credit ecosystems. BRICS is a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and it also includes partner countries in its wider engagement format. MSMEs are classified in India under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.