MSMEs and Industry 4.0 Take Center Stage at BRICS — With India Leading the Digital Charge
- Chinmay
- May 28, 2025
- India, Industrial IoT, News
- BRICS Industry Meeting, Connected Economy, Digital India, Global South Innovation, Industry 4.0 BRICS, IoT in manufacturing, MSME Export, MSME India, smart factories, Startup Knowledge Hub
- 0 Comments
At the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting held on May 21, 2025, in Brasília, two powerful themes dominated the agenda: Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Industry 4.0. For India, this was more than just diplomacy — it was a moment to reframe its industrial ambitions through innovation, collaboration, and digital transformation.
From Startup Hub to Industry Driver
India’s most notable contribution was the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub — a first-of-its-kind platform launched earlier this year to promote startup collaboration across all BRICS member nations. It aims to foster innovation, share best practices, and enable cross-border solutions in tech, manufacturing, and digital transformation.
But India didn’t stop at startups. With 5.93 crore MSMEs employing over 25 crore Indians and contributing nearly 46% of exports, the government made a strong case for why this sector is key to the Global South’s growth story.
MSMEs Are the Heartbeat — But Are They Future-Ready?
India urged fellow BRICS nations to recognize MSMEs as not just contributors, but accelerators of Industry 4.0. That means digitization, automation, data analytics, and IoT must no longer be optional — especially when global economic resilience and sustainable growth are the targets.
The joint declaration echoed this, emphasizing the role of innovation, digital technologies, and industrial cooperation in shaping inclusive economies. In this sense, MSMEs aren’t just small — they’re strategic.
India’s Digital Leap Is the Foundation
As proof, India showcased the impact of its Digital India campaign, which transformed the country from 250 million internet users in 2014 to over 950 million in 2024. This digitally connected population is now enabling paperless commerce, real-time manufacturing, and smart public infrastructure.
The message was clear: if MSMEs can be connected, they can compete. But they need the right tools, the right partners, and the right mindset.
The Path Ahead: Collaboration and Conscious Growth
India’s final remarks — invoking the values of Sahyog (Collaboration), Samanjasya (Harmony), Samagrata (Inclusiveness), and Sarvasammati (Consensus) — weren’t just symbolic. They were a subtle roadmap for how industrial policy, tech adoption, and cross-border cooperation can together build a resilient and equitable industrial future.
For Indian MSMEs, this is both a wake-up call and an invitation: the world is watching, and the tools for transformation are finally within reach.
