Defence sector holds promise for start-ups, MSMEs and entrepreneurs, says ex-chief of Confederation of Indian Industry

A brand new ecosystem is rising for the defence sector as personal business participation will increase, stated R. Nandini, former chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Southern Region, in Coimbatore on Friday (June 27, 2025).

Speaking on the inauguration of The Hindu businessline MSME Growth Conclave – Coimbatore 2025, she stated that micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) are at a pivotal second and are navigating via an advanced worldwide state of affairs.

With regard to the defence sector, there’s a shift in authorities coverage and a elementary change within the mindset of entrepreneurs too, she stated. Start-ups, the MSMEs and expertise innovators are contributing to nationwide safety and defence manufacturing. Coimbatore performs a big function on this because it has its strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and excessive precision industries. These models are in an advantageous place to contribute and profit from this transition of the defence sector, she added.

Coimbatore has a historical past of robust collaboration with Germany and this ought to be showcased globally, she added.

Raghuvir Srinivasan, Editor of The Hindu businessline, stated the fifth version of the MSME conclave, which is organised in Bengaluru yearly, has expanded this 12 months to Coimbatore.

The occasion had panel discussions on “Delivering a Big Bang (on defence supplies)” and “Navigating Global Trade Disruptions”.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, in a hearth chat with Aarathi Krishnan, Consulting Editor of The Hindu businessline, spoke on free commerce agreements, the affect of U.S. President Donald Trump’s posts on social media, and the commerce taking place between the U.S. and India.

The conclave, powered by Janatics and HDFC Bank, had SSVM Institutions Coimbatore, City Union Bank, Radiance Realty, SIDBI, South Indian Bank, Tally, Milky Mist, Indian Overseas Bank, and Union Bank of India as Associate Partners and Lexus because the Luxury Partner.