On this World MSME Day, industry leaders have come together to highlight the transformative role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in shaping India’s economy. According to Statista, there are over 63 million MSMEs in India, which form almost 30 percent of India’s GDP, and the share of MSMEs in the total exports amount to over 45 percent. With their significant contributions to GDP, employment, and community development, MSMEs are emerging as a critical pillar of economic resilience and innovation.
Also read: World MSME Day – Industry Applauds MSMEs for Being Backbone of Nation
Anant Bhan, Founder and CEO of Cloud Dhobi, emphasized the unparalleled impact of MSMEs: “Micro, small, and medium enterprises form the backbone of India’s economy, contributing nearly 30% to the country’s GDP and employing over 110 million people. MSMEs are not just business entities—they are engines of innovation, livelihood, and inclusive growth. In the laundry services sector, especially across urban hubs like Delhi-NCR, MSMEs play a transformative role by offering essential, hyper-local services that touch lives daily. Today, technology—particularly AI—is revolutionizing how MSMEs operate. From streamlining inventory and optimizing delivery routes to improving customer engagement, AI is empowering enterprises to become more efficient, agile, and resilient.”
He also highlighted the importance of government initiatives like CGTMSE and PMEGP, which are driving sustainable growth for small businesses. “With rising demand for organized, tech-enabled laundry solutions, this sector stands at the cusp of exponential growth. On this World MSME Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem—one that fosters entrepreneurship, drives employment, and builds a smarter, cleaner future.”
While technology plays a transformative role, Dhiraj Jha, CEO of Satin Finserv Limited, underlined the persistent financial challenges faced by MSMEs: “India’s MSME sector is one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth. However, despite creating jobs especially in women-led enterprises and contributing substantially to local economies, a large portion of these businesses still operate outside the formal financial ecosystem. There exists a huge credit deficit, and we need to urgently address how we plan to cater to the financial needs of this industry. MSMEs need more than funding; they need money solutions specific to their needs and built upon local realities.”
Jha also spoke about Satin Finserv’s approach to empowering MSMEs through tailored lending solutions and ecosystem support: “At Satin Finserv, we bridge the gap through secured, small-ticket lending backed by tech-enabled systems that simplify access. But finance alone isn’t enough. Enabling MSMEs means creating a broader ecosystem where entrepreneurs are participants in formal growth networks, not just recipients of funds. As we move toward a Viksit Bharat, truly inclusive development will depend on how well we integrate these businesses and ensure that MSMEs at the grassroots have the tools to grow and lead.”
Adding to the dialogue, Aakash Sharma, Chief Strategy Officer at Solv, highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of MSME owners: “We recognize micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as key drivers of innovation, employment generation, and economic resilience. With more than 110 million workers and a GDP contribution of more than 30%, the sector’s entrepreneurial spirit boosts local economies and is essential to the growth of the country.”
Sharma elaborated on how Solv empowers MSMEs through digital and financial solutions: “In line with this year’s theme, ‘Business for MSMEs – Connecting the Entrepreneurs,’ we take this opportunity to honor the tenacity and will of MSME owners nationwide. At Solv, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower these businesses by providing seamless access to working capital, verified suppliers, and digital tools—enabling over 4.5 Lakhs MSMEs on our platform to grow more efficiently and sustainably. Solv continues strengthening the MSME ecosystem as we strive to create a more digitally connected and inclusive business environment, allowing businesses not only to thrive but also to grow, compete, and steer India’s economic revolution in the digital age.”
Rahul Sharma, Vice President – Sales, Salesforce India, stated: “India’s MSMEs continue to power innovation, employment, and economic growth across the country. With AI and automation becoming more accessible, these small businesses have a golden opportunity to scale smarter, collaborate more effectively, and deliver even greater value to their customers. At Slack, we’re excited to be part of this journey. With features like a no-code, AI-powered workflow builder, an ecosystem of over 2,600 enterprise applications, and capabilities like Agentforce that bring trusted AI agents into the flow of work, Slack is helping bring this vision to life for small businesses. Whether it’s centralizing communication, streamlining daily tasks, or helping MSMEs do more with less, Slack is helping MSMEs build agile, resilient, and connected organizations. As more MSMEs embrace these digital-first tools, they’ll be better equipped to navigate changes, boost productivity, and grow their businesses at scale. We’re committed to helping India’s MSMEs harness the power of AI, so they can work faster and smarter, all in one place.”
