Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI),urged banks to see Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as key partners for future growth during awareness program in Kochi Monday. He called MSMEs “nursery of entrepreneurship,” crucial to vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. This event lined up with International MSME Day,slated for June 27, 2026.
Before some 150 MSME entrepreneurs and senior banking officials, Malhotra unveiled upcoming Unified Lending Interface (ULI). This tech-driven step aims to ease access to He also pushed entrepreneurs to use Trade Receivables Electronic Discounting System (TreDS), RBI-regulated platform helping MSMEs unlock working capital.
Malhotra underscored need for MSMEs to maintain financial discipline and transparency. These enterprises make up about 45% of India’s exports,employing roughly 330 million people. Largest job creators outside agriculture. “These aren't just numbers. They show the ambitions,dynamism,perseverance of MSMEs,” he said.
He lauded Kochi’s rich entrepreneurial past, from spice trade to fintech and clean energy today. RBI has rolled out measures to assist MSMEs, including priority sector lending targets,higher threshold for collateral-free loans,waiver of pre-closure charges.
The program,held in Thiruvananthapuram by RBI, sought to boost financial literacy among MSME entrepreneurs. It featured technical sessions on ustries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and government initiatives. Successful entrepreneurs shared experiences,offering insights to aspiring and established MSME operators…
