Will coordinate with other ministries to address rising raw material price issue: Union MSME minister

COIMBATORE: Union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi on Thursday said the issue of rising raw material prices falls under various ministries, including finance, industry and steel, and assured that he would coordinate with them to address the concerns of MSMEs.

The minister was speaking at an interactive meeting with industry associations and institutions at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex in Coimbatore. The minister said MSMEs were contributing significantly to the economy and generating employment for youth. He assured full support to the sector and said he would coordinate with concerned ministries between March 9 and 15, 2026, to address key issues.

The minister released a compiled MSME handbook containing details on schemes, compliance requirements and growth opportunities. He launched an industry–academia initiative to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and MSMEs, and unveiled the Coimbatore MSME database, a digital marketplace aimed at improving networking and business prospects in the region.

V Sundaram, director of the Codissia Defence Innovation and Atal Incubation Centre, requested the minister to facilitate an appointment with the defence minister for the inauguration of the newly constructed Rs 8crore exclusive building of the Defence Innovation Centre at CODISSIA Industrial Park in Kallapalayam. Manjhi assured that he would coordinate in this regard.

Representatives of various industry associations submitted memorandums highlighting sector-specific concerns and recommendations to the Union Minister at the end of the event.

Earlier, Manjhi inaugurated a new building at Nirmala College of Arts and Science for Women in Redfields and distributed certificates to faculty and students. And interacted with the students, about the vital role of women in nation-building and highlighted the importance of youth in driving India’s development.