Event Report: Union Budget 2025 – Implications for MSMEs and Growth Opportunities
Date: February 1, 2025
Venue: WASME House, Sector-16A, Noida
Organized by: World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME)
Event Overview
On February 1, 2025, the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) hosted a seminar titled
"Union Budget 2025: Implications for MSMEs and Growth Opportunities" at its headquarters in Noida.
The event convened policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions to dissect the
Union Budget 2025 and its ramifications for the MSME sector.
Keynote Address by Mr. Ashok Jha
Mr. Ashok Jha, a renowned MSME policy expert and founder of Early Grow Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd.,
delivered a compelling keynote address. Drawing from his extensive experience, Mr. Jha highlighted both the challenges
and opportunities presented by the Union Budget 2025 for MSMEs.
Challenges Identified:
Limited Access to Credit: Despite enhanced credit guarantee schemes, many MSMEs, especially micro and informal enterprises, continue to face difficulties in accessing affordable financing.
Regulatory Compliance Burden: The complexity of tax laws and compliance requirements remains a significant hurdle, diverting resources from core business activities.
Digital Infrastructure Gaps: While digital initiatives are encouraged, inadequate infrastructure in certain regions hampers MSMEs from fully leveraging these opportunities.
Opportunities Highlighted:
Increased Investment and Turnover Limits: The revision of MSME classification criteria allows businesses to scale operations without losing access to government benefits.
Enhanced Credit Guarantee Cover: Doubling the credit guarantee limit from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore is expected to facilitate greater access to financing for MSMEs.
Introduction of MSME Credit Cards: The proposed credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit aim to provide flexible working capital solutions for micro enterprises.
Support for First-Time Entrepreneurs: The budget's provision for term loans up to ₹2 crore for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs is a significant step towards inclusive growth.
Panel Discussions and Insights
The seminar featured panel discussions with experts from various sectors, including finance, technology, and manufacturing. Key insights included:
Digital Transformation: Emphasis on adopting digital tools for operations, marketing, and customer engagement to enhance competitiveness.
Export Opportunities: Encouragement for MSMEs to explore international markets, leveraging government schemes aimed at export promotion.
Skill Development: The need for continuous skill enhancement to adapt to evolving market demands and technological advancements.
Networking and Collaborative Opportunities
The event facilitated interactions among stakeholders, fostering discussions on:
Leveraging budget provisions for business expansion.
Collaborative ventures between MSMEs and larger enterprises.
Accessing government schemes and financial instruments effectively.
