Chennai: The much awaited Vettri Tamil Nadu MSME Summit 2026 on the theme–A New Era. A $1.5 Trillion Tamil Nadu– opened on a promising note here on Friday with speakers across the spectrum emphasising the need to bridge the MSME credit gap by improving access to affordable, timely and flexible finance.
They also spoke on strengthening the financing ecosystem and supporting MSMEs in scaling, investing and becoming globally competitive.
The sessions explored turnaround strategies, business restructuring, professionalisation, technology adoption, market expansion, institutional support through NSIC and other agencies, and pathways to access growth capital, including SME IPOs.
The highlights included how MSMEs can move from small businesses to investment-ready and globally competitive enterprises.
Mr Vijay Anandh, MD & CEO, City Union Bank, said that his bank has a decent base in Tamil Nadu and efforts are on to help the MSMEs get their finances with the use of digitised transactions as the lifting of the segment is happening everywhere like Tiruppur, Kangeyam, Tirunelveli and other regions that included manufacturing and textiles.
He assured that his bank is committed to improving the lots of MSMEs with the financial support needed for business development.
Mr S Vasudevan, President, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA), said that MSMEs are the major job generators and their growth depends on the policy initiatives of both the Union and state governments amid the global economic challenges in the wake of the West Asia conflict.
He said TANSTIA has made a representation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister as also to the Union Finance Minister and Commerce Minister on the need to extend support to MSMEs in terms of import and export subsidies along with bridging the credit gaps.
Mr P N Vasudevan, MD, Equitas Small Finance Bank, said that financing MSMEs has remained a great challenge and the time has come for the government and FICCI to come together and address the issue.
He also said the success stories of MSMEs are truly inspiring despite challenges in terms of trading, services and manufacturing.
Mr C A Harish Amrith, Convenor, FICCI Tamil Nadu MSME Panel & Senior Partner, KRT & Co Chartered Accountants, wanted MSMEs to bridge the credit gaps and utilise the funds.
He said the nodal agencies of the government are ready to help the MSMEs and allow them to compete with the larger companies with a long-term vision in terms of development and growth.
Dr G S K Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council & CMD, Trivitron, Healthcare/Neuberg Diagnostics Group of Companies, who welcomed, said that Tamil Nadu is in the forefront of MSMEs growth and clusters in Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Madurai and Sivakasi are showing lots of development thanks to the efforts of FICCI in coordination with the state government from time to time.
The ease of doing business along with a single window clearance system has created a pro-active business environment and technological innovations like AI and robotics have come in handy to think globally and reap success in the entrepreneurial journey.
