MSME Growth Summit 2026: AP Govt. creates key links to support small and medium-sized enterprises, startups

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addressed the MSME Growth Summit 2026 in Vijayawada on Monday. | Photo credit: Special

The Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation signed a series of landmark agreements with leading national and global organizations during the MSME Growth Summit 2026 held on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Mr. Naidu laid foundation stones for 38 new MSME parks across the state and unveiled the Rural Smart Village (RSV) centers being developed under the Rural Technology and Innovation Hub (RTIH).

The RSV pilot centres, set up at Mangalagiri, Pithapuram and Kuppam, are expected to function as incubation and innovation centers for rural entrepreneurs.

Kia India has partnered with RTIH to set up an advanced innovation center for prototyping. The facility will support startups with cutting-edge precision manufacturing and prototyping infrastructure.

The state government also announced a ₹20 crore seed fund program for deep-tech startups in collaboration with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and RTIH. The initiative is expected to provide financial support to emerging technology businesses.

Centers for facilitating digital transformation

To accelerate digital transformation among MSMEs, the MSME Development Corporation and the IT department have signed an agreement to set up 50 Digital Transformation Facilitation Centers in various colleges as part of the Digital Maturity Assessment programme, targeting one lakh MSMEs.

An agreement was also signed with ESSEL to conduct energy and water audits and diagnostic studies in 1,000 MSME units and clusters. The state government has announced a ₹200 crore Cluster Development Scheme aimed at promoting 750 small and medium enterprises and creating employment for 3,125 people.

Special business training programs will also be launched for youth with various disabilities.

Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation has partnered with India SME Forum to study growth opportunities in 10 MSME clusters across various sectors. Agreements were signed with Vodafone Idea Business and Zoho Corporation to improve digital readiness and technology adoption among SMEs. The programs aim to train and digitally empower one million SMEs across the state.

To promote exports and access international markets, the company has signed an agreement with Amazon Global Selling to promote Andhra Pradesh-made products in global e-commerce markets. Global logistics provider Aramex has also partnered with the state to boost logistics support, cross-border trade and export capacity for SMEs.

Meta Platforms has agreed to support capacity building for one lakh micro-enterprises, while the Quality Council of India will assist MSMEs in product certification and adherence to international quality standards.

Social security awareness

The Office for the Regulation and Development of Pension Funds signed an agreement to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the implementation of the national pension system and to raise awareness of financial and social security among entrepreneurs and employees.

Ministers Kondapalli Srinivas, TG Bharat and DBV Swamy along with senior officials including Industries Minister N. Yuvaraj attended the programme.

Published – 25 May 2026 21:07 IST