2nd Edition of the National Conclave of Industry Associations: Strengthening MSME Growth and Resilience
The Second Edition of the National Conclave of Industry Associations (IAs) was held in New Delhi on October 12, 2026. Over 250 representatives from around 140 industry associations from 26 States and Union Territories participated. These included 14 industry associations from six north-eastern and other hilly states, seven industry associations of all women entrepreneurs, and representatives of the MSME ecosystem.
On the occasion, 120 more IAs were onboarded, with the number of MSMEs onboarded increasing from 66,000 to 1,01,894. A Sectoral Expert Matchmaking Platform was unveiled along with the DIA chatbot on the portal dia-msme.in. A case study booklet, “Good Practices of Industry Associations”, was also launched.
IAs suggested that they can work for their members through a six-phase strategy of protect, represent, connect, grow, learn and save. Associations can take the lead in areas such as the Tender Marketing Scheme, CFC creation, global exposure and skill development, and also earn revenue to strengthen their delivery mechanisms. Digitalisation, market diversification, skilling, intelligent financing, etc., can help build resilience and prepare for future uncertainties. IAs need to focus more closely on outcomes. Conglomeration gives IAs the power to promote Ease of Doing Business.
The conclave also discussed the adoption of AI as a function of necessity, depending on whether it is required to increase productivity, skills or markets, or reduce indirect costs. An AI tool measuring an individual's dress size reduced the return rate of a B2C dress-selling business by up to 70%. IAs can make AI more acceptable to all stakeholders of business by creating common AI facilities, skilling entrepreneurs and conducting live AI clinics to solve real issues. Such initiatives can make the adoption rate pick up significantly. While there are risks, AI tools need to be used responsibly by both creators and users.
MSME IAs were apprised of the significant benefits possible through training interns, with nearly 90% support for their internship stipends. Welcoming the scheme, IAs opined that such benefits could be realised faster by MSMEs if IAs promoted the scheme among their member MSMEs. They also suggested that IAs receive incentives to cover the costs involved.
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