| Abstract: |
The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector constitutes a critical backbone of India's economic architecture, contributing approximately 29.2% to the national GDP in 2021-22 and employing over 11.10 crore workers nationwide. Pune, as a leading industrial hub in Maharashtra, accommodates 1,36,531 registered MSMEs on the Udyam portal as of July 2021, positioning it as the top-ranked district in the state. This study explores the ecosystem dynamics comprising financial access, technology adoption, institutional support, market linkages, and regulatory frameworks and their measurable effect on MSME performance in Pune. The objectives include examining the constituent elements of the MSME ecosystem in Pune and assessing their impact on enterprise growth and sustainability. A descriptive-analytical research design employing secondary data from government databases, RBI reports, and published literature was adopted. The hypothesis posits that stronger ecosystem support mechanisms significantly enhance MSME productivity, credit absorption, and employment generation in Pune. Results indicate that while Pune's ecosystem demonstrates strengths in institutional infrastructure and industrial clustering, persistent gaps in credit accessibility, digital readiness, and skilled workforce availability impede optimal MSME performance. The study concludes that targeted policy interventions addressing credit gaps and digital infrastructure are imperative for strengthening Pune's MSME ecosystem. |
