On March 7th, 2025, Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General of INSME, participated in a landmark international conference in New Delhi, India, organized by the Federation of Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (FISME), in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The event, titled Strategies for Mass-Scale Technological Upgradation for MSMEs: Global Experiences and Lessons for India, brought together global experts to discuss the challenges and strategies for advancing technological adoption among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The conference opened with remarks from Sandeep Kishore Jain, President of FISME, who emphasized the importance of technological adoption for MSMEs to enhance their competitiveness in the global marketplace. This was followed by insightful contributions from Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of MSME, and Rajendra Agrawal, Convenor of Friends of MSMEs in Parliament, who highlighted respectively the government’s commitment to supporting MSMEs in their technological transformation and the need for policy interventions to facilitate this transformation.
In the first technical session, Giovanni Zazzerini’s presentation provided insights into international best practices, cluster management, and technology upgrading. He emphasized that to overcome technological inertia within clusters, it is crucial to support leading firms with new technologies, enabling them to influence their networks and ensure the flow of knowledge among the Triple Helix players. The session then featured contributions from other international experts, including Dr. Sangeeta Khorana, Professor of International Trade Policy at Aston Business School, who explored the role of trade policies in technology acquisition and criticized “a lack of partnerships between universities and industries in the country, which are crucial for driving innovation and growth in MSMEs.” Cristiano Massimo Pasini from UNIDO highlighted the organization’s efforts toward sustainable industrial development through technology adoption.
The second technical session focused on lessons specifically applicable to India’s MSME sector, offering valuable insights on navigating the challenges of technological upgradation. Key topics discussed included cluster-based approaches to technology diffusion, energy-efficient technologies for sustainable manufacturing, and financing mechanisms to support MSMEs in acquiring the necessary technologies.
The conference concluded with a valedictory session that summarized actionable strategies for policymakers, industry associations, and MSME owners. Overall, the conference emphasized the importance of international collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address the technological needs of MSMEs. INSME’s participation underscored the organization’s ongoing efforts to promote innovation and facilitate technology transfer to MSMEs globally.
Source: INSME Secretariat
