FICCI Prioritizes Manufacturing, Women Empowerment, Rural Growth

By A Staff Reporter

Delhi: Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emami Group, outlined the organization's key priorities for the year, emphasizing alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).

In a statement, Agarwal highlighted that FICCI’s strategic focus would revolve around enhancing India's manufacturing sector, with the goal of boosting its contribution to the national GDP. "Manufacturing is a very important area for us. As a chamber and industry body, we recognize that Make in India is a key priority. Currently, manufacturing contributes 15% to India's GDP, and our aim is to take it to 25%," he said.

Agarwal stressed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would be central to achieving this target. "A lot of our support will be directed towards the growth of SMEs and improving their capabilities," he explained, underlining the importance of fostering this sector for a more robust and diversified economy.

The FICCI President also outlined two other central themes for the year: women empowerment and rural prosperity. "Inclusive growth is essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, and these two areas will be our priority," he added. Empowering women and uplifting rural areas, Agarwal noted, are critical components in ensuring that growth reaches all segments of society.

Sustainability, he said, would also remain a core focus for FICCI in its ongoing efforts to support sustainable business practices across industries.

This comprehensive approach, combining economic, social, and environmental priorities, is aimed at driving India’s long-term development in line with the government’s overarching goal of creating a prosperous, self-reliant, and inclusive nation.