IIM Nagpur Champions MSME Role in Building a Developed India by 2047
May 28, 2025 – Nagpur
In a powerful step toward shaping India’s economic future, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur convened a high-level roundtable on the theme “MSME & Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” The event gathered key voices from government, business, academia, and the financial world to explore the central role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in helping India achieve its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The roundtable was spearheaded by Shantanu Srivastava, CEO of Ishan International and founder of the Ishan Foundation, who presented a bold plan for propelling the MSME sector forward. Srivastava stressed that MSMEs currently account for nearly a third of India’s GDP and almost half of its exports. He predicted that with focused policy changes and structural reforms, the sector could grow at over 15 percent annually. He emphasized the need to boost startup success, integrate more effectively with government programs, and tackle persistent issues such as funding access and regulatory burdens.
Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, reinforced the sector’s importance, noting India’s steady economic climb—from a $1 trillion economy in 2007 to $4 trillion in 2024. He highlighted projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), forecasting India’s rise to the third-largest global economy by 2027-28. Dr. Metri also spotlighted Nagpur’s potential as a future net-zero city, positioning it as a blueprint for sustainable economic development.
More than thirty experts from various sectors participated in the discussion, sharing insights on simplifying compliance, improving financial access in smaller cities, and boosting the effectiveness of subsidy disbursements. A major theme was bridging the gap between academia and industry by translating university research into practical MSME applications.
Other points of discussion included broadening the reach of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, addressing inconsistencies in subsidy taxation, and building flexible policy frameworks that allow for continuous improvement. Participants also advocated for regular financial checkups for MSMEs and stronger mentorship networks for entrepreneurs.
The event concluded with Srivastava introducing a new rallying cry: “Bharat to the Power of Infinity (Bharat^∞),” reflecting the boundless potential of India’s MSME ecosystem. He announced plans to expand the initiative nationwide, making stops in key cities as part of a larger mission to align grassroots enterprise with India’s 2047 development goals.
With momentum building, the IIM Nagpur roundtable marked a significant milestone in reimagining India’s growth path—one powered from the ground up.
