In a significant step towards strengthening India’s manufacturing and export ecosystem, the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) convened a high-level stakeholder consultation in the capital to chart a roadmap for revitalising export-oriented industrial clusters.
The meeting, held at Vanijya Bhawan, brought together key players from across the industrial spectrum, including export promotion councils, industry associations, financial institutions, research bodies, and government representatives. The consultation follows the Union Budget announcement on cluster rejuvenation and aims to translate policy intent into actionable strategies.
A Holistic Approach to Cluster Development
Stakeholders strongly advocated for a comprehensive and balanced approach to revitalising industrial clusters. Beyond infrastructure upgrades, discussions highlighted the need to integrate capacity building, advanced technology adoption, and improved market access.
A recurring theme during the deliberations was the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, especially in sectors heavily reliant on imports. Participants called for the development of robust testing, certification, and quality infrastructure within India to enhance global competitiveness and reduce dependence on overseas facilities.
Innovation, Technology and MSME Empowerment
The consultation underscored the critical role of innovation and research in driving cluster growth. Emphasis was placed on promoting research and development (R&D), fostering technology commercialisation, and encouraging industry-academia collaboration.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) emerged as the focal point of the strategy. Stakeholders stressed targeted interventions to boost MSME productivity, improve access to finance, and facilitate their integration into global value chains. The consensus was clear: empowering MSMEs is key to expanding India’s export footprint.
Governance Reforms and Ease of Doing Business
Participants also highlighted the need for stronger governance frameworks, including industry-led Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to manage cluster development. Calls were made for simplifying regulatory procedures and improving awareness and accessibility of government schemes.
Flexibility at the state and district levels was deemed essential to ensure that cluster policies are tailored to local contexts. The idea of cluster-level facilitation systems to support investors and enterprises also gained traction.
Building Future-Ready Industrial Ecosystems
Beyond industrial infrastructure, the consultation stressed the importance of developing integrated ecosystems that include social and urban infrastructure to attract and retain skilled workers. Discussions also touched upon sustainable financing models, strengthening intellectual property ecosystems, and leveraging existing government initiatives to scale high-potential clusters.
Aligning cluster development with global demand trends was identified as a critical factor in enhancing India’s position in global value chains.
Broad-Based Participation and Leadership
The meeting saw participation from leading industry bodies such as ASSOCHAM, FICCI, CII, PHDCCI, and NASSCOM, along with institutions like SIDBI, CSIR, and the National Productivity Council. Major corporates, including Reliance, Tata Chemicals, Relaxo, Beumer Group, and JLL, also contributed to the discussions.
The session was guided by NICDC CEO and Managing Director Rajat Kumar Saini, who emphasised the importance of sustained stakeholder engagement in refining and implementing the cluster development framework. The consultation was chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
From Policy to Action
The consultation marks a crucial step in operationalising the government’s Budget announcement on industrial cluster rejuvenation. By fostering industry–government collaboration and generating actionable recommendations, the initiative aims to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a global manufacturing and export powerhouse.
As NICDC continues to spearhead the development of industrial corridors and smart cities, the renewed focus on cluster-based growth signals a strategic shift—one that places MSMEs, innovation, and competitiveness at the core of India’s economic future.
About NICDC
National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) is Government of India’s nodal agency for planning, developing and implementing greenfield industrial smart cities to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem and logistics competitiveness.
Source – PIB
Edited by Mantena Sasank
Last Updated on: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 11:33 am by Mantena Sasank | Published by: Mantena Sasank on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 11:33 am | News Categories: Delhi