7 in 10 MSMEs in emerging markets lack adequate financing, contributing to a $5.7 trillion financing gap, according to IFC. Many struggle to secure traditional loans without sufficient collateral or an established credit history, even when they have paying customers and outstanding invoices. Those receivables can provide a basis for financing, allowing businesses to access working capital against expected payments. Through ZIG Markets-curated vaults on @Valdora_finance, we're already bringing onchain capital to SME working-capital financing across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The strategic imperative of integrating domestic industry into international aerospace and defence value chains formed the central focus of the session “Empowering Indian MSMEs for Global Supply Chains: Capacity Building, Quality Harmonisation, and Co-Exporting to Third Countries” at the SIDM Annual Session 2026.   Moderating the session, Air Marshal Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd.),  Strategic Advisor SIDM, highlighted that large Indian and global OEMs must actively mentor smaller enterprises through stringent qualification cycles and accompany them into wider international markets.   Mr Tony Walton, Managing Director, BAE Systems India, shared his perspectives on transitioning engagements from local production to deeper, long-term partnerships. He stressed that collaboration with start-ups and academia must align with clearly identifiable customer requirements—both domestic and international—to establish practical pathways for co-exporting qualified systems.   Mr H G Chandrashekar, Founder and Managing Director, SASMOS HET Technologies Ltd, outlined the journey of scaling an Indian supplier into global supply chains. He underscored the importance of thinking strategically from inception, investing in quality processes and people alongside machinery, and transitioning beyond build-to-print contracts toward proprietary engineering and business diversification. #SIDMAnnualSession2026# #MSME# #DefenceExports# #AerospaceAndDefence# #CapacityBuilding# #AtmanirbharBharat#

80 to 90% of Caribbean businesses are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and lending is collateral-based due to the absence of a cash-flow record to underwrite. Sage builds a record as a side effect of paying people. Every verified payout is recorded with details including who paid, for what, when, the refusal share and on both rails. A lender can access this information with a single call and receive JSON data not a PDF. The record already contains a working capital facility: an advance is sized from verified inflow and repaid automatically from subsequent payouts. It is designed for cooperatives programmes and lenders who wish to price cash flow rather than collateral.

AI is changing how we work, but Southeast Asia’s jobs future depends on skills, inclusion, and readiness. From MSMEs to schools and government programs, the right investments can help AI augment work, create new opportunities, and boost productivity.

Swavlamban 2026: Day 1 ⚓ The fifth edition of SWAVLAMBAN , organised by Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation in collaboration with SOCIETY OF INDIAN DEFENCE MANUFACTURERS supported by IDEX, Dept of Defence Production Ministry of Defence is being held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The day opened with the thematic exhibition, inaugurated by the Chief of the Naval Staff alongside DG SIDM showcased indigenous technologies in Maritime Surveillance, Counter-UAS, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies from AROUND 100 defence startups & MSMEs. Later in the Inaugural Session, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, in his keynote address, stressed that delivering capabilities faster requires mechanisms for collaboration. He highlighted that solutions emerging from iDEX can be broken down and put to dual use, serving both defence and civil society. Mr Neeraj Gupta, Vice President, SIDM, outlined the industry perspective on innovation and self-reliance. The day concluded with a plenary session graced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh as Chief Guest. He highlighted self-reliance driven through the iDEX ecosystem, resilient domestic supply chains and academic entrepreneurship. He expressed confidence that innovators will be “impact players” in Phase 2 of India’s Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) journey, where products must be made in India and also be cost-effective and operationally superior. The Chief of the Naval Staff noted that Swavlamban has so far showcased technologies with procurement approvals worth over ₹3,500 crore, and that AoN worth ₹1,900 crore has been accorded to Indian innovators for indigenous systems. #Swavlamban2026# #IndianNavy# #SIDM# #Aatmanirbharta# #iDEX# #DefenceIndigenisation#

The Indian Army, in association with SIDM, organised a symposium at CAFVD Kirkee, Pune, on **“Enhancing Indigenous Manufacturing of Imported Spares and Assemblies to Boost Atmanirbharta.”** Mr Arun T Ramchandani, SIDM President, highlighted key MSME challenges in scaling from samples to serial production, emphasising streamlined testing, predictable procurement, timely access to specifications and an enabling policy framework. The session was also addressed by Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, SM, VSM, Master General Sustenance, Indian Army; Lt Gen Deepak Ahuja, DGOS; and Brig K Shri Ram Kumar, Controller CQA (HV). The symposium reinforced Army–Industry collaboration and advanced India’s defence indigenisation and self-reliance goals. #SIDM# #IndianArmy# #AtmanirbharBharat# #DefenceManufacturing# #Indigenisation# #MSMEs# #MakeInIndia#

#WATCH# | Delhi: On the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal says, "Whatever goods are exported from India to New Zealand, import duty will no longer be levied on 100% of the goods entering New Zealand. This means all our exports will reach New Zealand duty-free. Consequently, the disadvantage we faced vis-à-vis other countries that had already established a foothold in the New Zealand market—or the challenges we encountered in that competition—will be eliminated. This will greatly benefit our MSMEs. It will benefit our farmers. It will benefit our handicraft and handloom artisans. Young men and women will get new employment opportunities... Furthermore, they have committed to investing $20 billion in India as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the FTA. This will provide our manufacturing sectors with both capital and technology, while also attracting New Zealand companies to invest in India... We have not granted any market access concessions in sectors sensitive to India; for instance, we do not open the dairy sector to anyone, so no concessions or relaxations have been granted to New Zealand in this regard. The same applies to various agricultural products—such as onions, chickpeas, peas, maize, almonds, artificial honey, and sugar. Items sensitive to India have not been opened up for unrestricted access, nor have any concessions been granted for them..."

A historic milestone for India-UK relations. Delighted to note that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will enter into force on 15th July 2026. This agreement will significantly boost our bilateral trade and investment. It will also unlock numerous opportunities for Indian farmers, workers, MSMEs, startups and innovators and contribute meaningfully to the realisation of Viksit Bharat 2047. Both PM Starmer and I, who are in Evian for the G7 Summit, are naturally very happy with the significant momentum being added to our economic ties. @Keir_Starmer

Strengthening India–Czechia defence industrial partnerships. The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Embassy of India in Prague organised the 5th #IndiaMeetsCzechia# session on 20 October, bringing together industry representatives to explore deeper collaboration. Ambassador Shri Raveesh Kumar emphasised identifying the right technology partners, pursuing joint production and establishing a local presence. He encouraged Czech companies to view India as a long-term industrial partner and Indian firms to explore Czechia as a gateway to European markets. Representatives of the Czech government, Mr Matej Benda, Director of the Department of Defense, Industrial Corporation, Ministry of Trade and Industry highlighted opportunities in aerospace, AI, cybersecurity, unmanned systems and defence electronics, stressing mutual trust and the importance of translating dialogue into concrete projects. SIDM, while reiterating India's defence industry matured landscape, presented an overview of opportunities, scope and procedures of joint collaboration while addressing concerns related to IP protection. SIDM also highlighted combining India’s manufacturing capabilities with Czech technological expertise offers opportunities for joint R&D, localisation and stronger supply chains, including partnerships involving MSMEs and startups. The shared direction: co-develop, co-produce and co-export—meeting domestic requirements and reaching third-country markets together. The session ended with interaction between Indian and Czechia defence industry. #SIDM# #IndiaCzechia# #DefenceCooperation# #IndianEmbassyInPrague# #MinistryOfDefence#