MSMEs Play a Crucial Role in Maharashtra’s Economic Development: Kaustubh Dhavse
Pune, 23rd June 2026: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have made a significant contribution to Maharashtra’s economic development. Small industries form the backbone of the economy, and large-scale projects cannot be completed without their support, said Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Friday.
The remarks were made during a program organized by Laghu Udyog Bharati Maharashtra on the topic, “The Role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Maharashtra’s Goal of Becoming a One-Trillion-Dollar Economy.” During this program, Amit Ghaisas, President of Laghu Udyog Bharati Maharashtra had a dialogue with Kaustubh Dhavse in front of the members of Laghu Udyog Bharati from various parts of the state who were present on the occasion.
The program took place at Hotel Sheraton Grand and more than 70 MSME industry owners from cities like Pune, Satara, Sangli, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Chhtrapati Sambhaji Nagar attended the program.
Speaking at the event, Dhavse stated that MSMEs are among the most important and active contributors to the state’s economic growth. Maharashtra’s pace of economic progress is accelerating, and the government is committed to supporting MSMEs. This support will undoubtedly help Maharashtra maintain its leadership position among Indian states.
He noted that substantial work is currently underway in sectors such as defence, steel, textiles, and information technology. Therefore, MSMEs need to understand and integrate themselves into these sectors’ supply chains. Entrepreneurs who study emerging trends and align their businesses with current market opportunities can derive significant benefits.
He observed that industrial development in Maharashtra was previously concentrated largely in Mumbai, Pune, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, resulting in a bit of degree of regional imbalance. However, since the government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis came to power, efforts have been made to address this imbalance.
He highlighted that regions such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and Nagpur are witnessing considerable industrial growth. Gadchiroli, once known primarily as a Naxal-affected district, is undergoing a transformation with the development of a steel industry.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg (Expressway) is providing substantial benefits to industries in these regions. It is helping create a strong industrial ecosystem and facilitating the emergence of industrial clusters across the state, which will contribute significantly to industrial expansion and economic growth. Dhavse also mentioned that the government is developing a dedicated cluster for Japanese companies in Supa, near Pune.
He emphasized the need to reduce interest rates charged on loans extended to MSMEs. The government intends to encourage and support these enterprises and will make every effort to provide the assistance required for their growth.
He further noted that business trends are changing rapidly, making it essential for every entrepreneur to adopt and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in their operations.
During the interaction, members highlighted the various challenges faced by MSMEs and demanded the creation of a separate ministry dedicated to the sector within the state government. Nachiket Phadke was the anchor for this program.
