Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the significance of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in propelling India’s economic development. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership since 2014, various policies have been implemented to bolster the nation’s economy. Specifically, Khandu mentioned the creation of the National SC-ST Hub in 2016 to uplift Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
At a National Level Mega Awareness Program organized by the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government, Khandu pointed out that the MSME sector currently supports over 7 crore enterprises nationwide, benefiting more than 31 crore individuals. However, he emphasized the need to accelerate this momentum in the Northeast, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh.
Khandu stressed the importance of ensuring that SC and ST entrepreneurs leverage Government of India schemes for their benefit and active involvement in the country’s economic advancement. He urged the youth to familiarize themselves with government policies and budgets to maximize the available opportunities. Additionally, Khandu highlighted that a significant portion of government procurement is reserved for MSMEs, with specific allocations for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Entrepreneurship Development Institute at Jote, virtually, to provide structured training and support to startups and MSMEs in the state. He outlined the Union Budget 2026’s provisions aimed at strengthening the MSME sector through various support mechanisms, including growth fund support, liquidity enhancement, and access to risk capital. Khandu further mentioned initiatives like the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme and the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation & Investment Park, which have been instrumental in fostering entrepreneurship in the state.
