India to host the first BRICS MSME Forum in Agra under its 2026 chairship

As BRICS chair for 2026, India's MSME Ministry will hold the grouping's first MSME Forum and third SME Working Group in Agra, convening member and partner countries to build a 'future-ready' small-business ecosystem.

What happened

• India's Ministry of MSME will host the first BRICS MSME Forum and the third SME Working Group Meeting on 19 June 2026 at Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
• The overarching theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' — the theme of India's 2026 BRICS chairship.
• It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs from BRICS member and partner countries to strengthen global MSME ecosystems, foster sustainability and enhance cooperation.
• The release highlights India's MSME sector — over 8.6 crore enterprises, contributing more than 31.1% to GDP, ~35.4% of manufacturing output and over 48.58% of exports.
• The day features an MSME exhibition, the SME Working Group ('Sustainable Roots to Global Routes') and industry deliberations on access to finance, technology and sustainability.

For Prelims

• BRICS: Originally Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC, 2009) + South Africa (2010); expanded in 2024 to add Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE (and Saudi Arabia), with Indonesia joining in 2025 — a grouping of major emerging economies.
• India's 2026 chairship: India holds the rotating BRICS chair in 2026 (its 4th time, after 2012, 2016, 2021), under the theme used here; it will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
• Partner countries: In 2025 BRICS added 10 partner countries (Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam) — a tier below full membership.
• MSME definition (India): Classified by investment and turnover (revised 2020) — micro, small and medium enterprises; the sector is a major source of employment and exports.
• India's MSME footprint: 8.6 crore+ enterprises; ~31% of GDP; ~48% of exports; supported by schemes like Udyam registration, CGTMSE credit guarantee and PMEGP.
• Why BRICS matters for India: A platform for Global South cooperation, reform of global governance, trade in local currencies (the New Development Bank), and development finance.
• Don't confuse: BRICS 'member' countries are distinct from 'partner' countries; India chairs BRICS in 2026 (rotating presidency), and the New Development Bank (NDB) is BRICS's multilateral bank (HQ Shanghai).

For Mains

Syllabus: GS2.18 · GS3.8 · Linkage L2