MSME Minister launches 'First' as MSME support platform

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 2, 2023

The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises has launched the Forum for Internet Retailers, Sellers, and Traders (FIRST) to support MSMEs across India and raise awareness of their needs and successes. 

The MSME Ministry launched FIRST at an event attended by over 400 retailers and seller organisations, Indian Retailer Bureau reported. The organisation will work towards empowering MSMEs to embrace e-commerce and become more self reliant. 
 
“Indian MSMEs are the backbone of our economy and they need to be provided with all support to expand their livelihood,” said Rane, Indian Retailer Bureau reported. “I am happy for the constitution of FIRST which will help digitisation and growth of MSMEs.”

The forum has registered over 17,200 enterprises across India. The MSME Ministry also announced a new report on the sector at the event titled ‘State of the retail in India: 2023’ which highlights how e-commerce platforms have enabled MSMEs to meet new consumer demands, a trend FIRST will work to continue. 
 
“We are proud to be a part of a first-of-its-kind forum for online businesses,” said FIRST’s secretary general Aruna Sharma. “Online platforms have expanded the reach of businesses irrespective of geography and scale. FIRST aims to be the voice of MSMEs selling online and help foster their growth by acting as advocates among government representatives and policymakers.”