Fri May 30 17:34:02 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Karnataka Aims for MSME Independence at Bengaluru Conclave**

**Bengaluru, India – May 30, 2025** – Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to reduce reliance on foreign machinery, particularly from countries like China, at the inauguration of the India MSME Conclave in Bengaluru on Friday. He cited instances where trade barriers and visa issues hindered timely machine servicing, resulting in downtime and economic losses for local businesses.

Union Minister of State for MSME, Shobha Karandlaje, emphasized the sector’s crucial role in India’s economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and employing over 260 million people. She highlighted challenges faced by MSMEs, including funding, technology access, and skill development. Karandlaje called for increased government investment in infrastructure, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, to support the growth of these businesses.

M.B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, acknowledged the importance of MSMEs and outlined the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns. He announced significant infrastructure investments in Bengaluru, including ₹44,000 crore for metro expansion and ₹37,000 crore for tunnel roads, totaling over ₹1 lakh crore in the next four to five years.

The three-day India MSME Conclave is organized by the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA), the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), and the Peenya Industries Association (PIA), in collaboration with the State Bank of India. The event aims to address the challenges and opportunities facing the MSME sector and promote its growth and development in the region.

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