Lucknow : In a significant push to energize India’s MSME ecosystem, the Indian Industries Association (IIA) held its 310th Central Executive Committee meeting—also the first for the 2025–26 session—at the IIA Bhawan in Lucknow. The high-level gathering was presided over by Dinesh Goyal, National President of IIA, and witnessed participation from over 100 senior officials representing Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi.
The meet laid strong emphasis on propelling small and medium enterprises towards growth by addressing key issues such as Ease of Doing Business, embracing advanced technology, upskilling the labor force, and unlocking export opportunities. Shri Goyal underscored IIA’s continuous efforts to act as a bridge between MSMEs and government bodies at both the state and central levels.
During the meeting, Goyal revealed that the IIA recently met Vijay Kiran Anand, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of Invest UP, to discuss simplifying the Ease of Doing Business framework in the state. A formal memorandum suggesting improvements was submitted by the IIA to enhance the functionality of the Nivesh Mitra portal. The upgraded version 3.0 of the portal is expected to streamline services, helping entrepreneurs operate more efficiently.
Labor reforms also came under the spotlight during the discussions. In a separate engagement, IIA members held talks with Dr. M.K. Shanmuga Sundaram, IAS, Principal Secretary (Labour), addressing long-standing issues regarding labor law compliance. Officials from the Provident Fund and Employees’ State Insurance departments joined the dialogue and assured proactive support in resolving key concerns.
Another major announcement at the meeting was IIA’s plan to roll out a national series of training programs aimed at digital and technological empowerment of MSMEs. These programs will focus on the effective use of Google and Microsoft business tools, as well as provide a primer on how Artificial Intelligence can be harnessed for improved productivity and market reach. Alok Agarwal, Senior Vice President of IIA, stated that new skill development initiatives were ready for launch and would be tailored to make India’s MSME workforce future-ready.
On the business outreach front, the General Secretary of IIA unveiled a comprehensive plan to organize multiple trade expos across the country in 2025–26. These expos are expected to offer MSMEs a platform to showcase their products, explore collaborations, and engage with buyers from across India and overseas. Among the upcoming flagship events are the Build India Expo, Defense and Engineering Goods Expo, India Solar Expo, India Food Expo, and the Tourism Expo.
Financial and infrastructure concerns were also on the agenda. Awadhesh Aggarwal, National Treasurer, shared updates on critical issues such as the Pleas Park Scheme, rising surcharges in industrial areas, and the demand for open access power supply. He expressed optimism that constructive discussions with the authorities would soon yield positive outcomes.
The IIA also announced that its 34th Annual General Meeting will be held on August 8, 2025, at Hotel Ramada in Lucknow. The meeting will serve as a convergence point for industry leaders, policy experts, and entrepreneurs to review progress and set the course for the next phase of industrial growth.
The Central Executive Committee meeting drew participation from senior leadership including Past Presidents Shri G.C. Chaturvedi and Shri Anil Gupta, as well as multiple Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Divisional and Chapter Heads, affirming the IIA’s deep-rooted and collaborative leadership structure.
As India’s MSME sector braces for a year of transformation, today’s meeting marked a clear beginning of an action-oriented roadmap. From pushing policy improvements to unlocking tech-driven opportunities, the IIA has reaffirmed its commitment to championing the cause of entrepreneurs and creating a more dynamic business environment.
