Jammu, Mar 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday highlighted the significant strides made in Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial sector, emphasising the administration’s efforts to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem aimed at positioning the region as a leading invest-ment destination.
Addressing the MSME Conclave 2025 organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Jam-mu, the Lieutenant Governor assured attendees that the region’s industrial growth would contin-ue to receive strong support from the Government of India.
“We have created an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir to make it a preferred in-vestment destination. Thousands of MSME units have become operational over the past few years, and we are committed to taking MSME growth to new heights with a focus on inclusive and sustainable development,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
LG Sinha also underscored the importance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving the economy and supporting the “Make in India” initiative. He noted the pivotal role MSMEs play in the country’s manufacturing sector and global trade, pointing out that MSME exports had surged from Rs. 3.95 lakh crore in 2020-21 to Rs. 12.39 lakh crore in 2024-25.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MSME sector has witnessed un-precedented growth, contributing significantly to the Indian economy. This sector has become the backbone of socio-economic growth, particularly in employment generation, entrepreneurship promotion, and economic development,” the Lieutenant Governor added.
The Lieutenant Governor also pointed out that the central government’s recent budget would further bolster the MSME sector, providing new momentum and hope. He stressed the im-portance of technology adoption, innovation, and skill development as key drivers for the success of the MSME ecosystem.
“We are determined to establish Jammu and Kashmir as a hub of entrepreneurial excellence and job creation. Through measures like speedy economic reforms, accessible credit facilities, im-proved ease of doing business, attractive incentives, and world-class facilities, we are infusing new hopes into the MSME sector here,” he said.
In his address, Sinha also cautioned against any actions or statements that could undermine in-vestor confidence in the region, emphasizing that such efforts would be detrimental to Jammu and Kashmir’s economic growth and job creation.
“The Government of India has assured us of continued support for Jammu and Kashmir’s indus-trial development, and we are confident that this journey will continue without obstacles. We must ensure that no efforts are made to demoralize investors, as this could hinder the region’s progress,” he warned.
He also called for a greater focus on scaling up businesses and upgrading micro and small enter-prises into medium-sized ones, urging policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to focus on key aspects such as marketing, brand-building, infrastructure development, and raw material availability.
“MSMEs should not only focus on exports but also on tapping into the domestic market, particu-larly in sectors like PV cells, EV batteries, and electric equipment,” the Lieutenant Governor em-phasized.
Concluding his address, LG Sinha reiterated that the dreams of a developed India are growing in small enterprises. “Given the significant contribution of MSMEs to GDP and their export vol-umes, the sector’s progress must be prioritized,” he said.
The event was attended by senior officials, industry leaders, young entrepreneurs, bankers, and experts, including Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Depart-ment J&K; Rahul Sahai, Chairman, IIC Jammu Chapter; Debmalya Banerjee, Regional Director, Indian Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Industries & Commerce Department Jammu.
