Delhi MSMEs visited by high-level German delegation from Friedrich Naumann Foundation

A high-level German delegation visited micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Indian national capital on Thursday. The delegation was led by Frank Müller-Rosentritt, Member of Parliament, Free Democratic Party, Germany, and Dr Carsten Klein, Head, Regional Office, FNF South Asia. The team—including Frank Hoffmann, Regional Project Manager, and Himanshu Chawla, Regional Communication and Program Manager—aimed to understand the functioning of India’s crucial MSME space and its economic contribution. 

The delegation—representing the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) South Asia—appreciated the contributions of Indian MSMEs to the nation's economy while exploring their potential for future growth. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation team interacted with several MSME owners and operators, acknowledging the critical role the sector plays in driving economic growth and creating employment in India. 

Their discussions focused on how these businesses could continue to develop, ensuring sustainable growth in the years to come.

The visit of the German delegation was facilitated by the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), a public trust established in 2005. The Foundation has been working for nearly two decades to enhance resource efficiency and promote the use of sustainable materials across various MSME clusters in India. 

Its key achievements include include:

• Reducing 41,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually in foundry clusters 
• Establishing paving block enterprises that consumed 163,000 tonnes of foundry slag 
• Replacing 1,800 tonnes of unsustainable materials with bamboo in bamboo clusters 

FNF has been a long-standing partner of FMC, supporting its work in promoting sustainability and resource efficiency within MSME clusters. 

The visit allowed the FNF team to witness firsthand the operations of Indian MSMEs and gain valuable insights into the sector's vital role in the country’s industrial landscape.

Operating in more than 60 countries, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation promotes civic education, training, and the exchange of ideas in the areas of economic freedom, human rights, urban governance, and digital transformation.