To promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Noida government has decided to develop Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as City Economic Zones. The initiative aims to strengthen the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, generate employment in smaller cities, towns, and villages, and reduce migration to NCR and metro cities.

Entrepreneur Sudhir Srivastava said that encouraging people in smaller towns and rural areas to enter the MSME sector would enable them to start businesses with minimal investment. This, he added, would not only create self-employment opportunities but also generate local jobs. 

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Under the proposed City Economic Zones, small and emerging enterprises will receive access to capital for expansion, adoption of modern machinery, and new technologies, helping address working capital challenges and support business growth.

Indian Industries Association National Vice President Rajeev Bansal said that MSMEs are no longer just small businesses but have become the backbone of India’s economic development. He stated that the current budget provides the sector with the necessary support to grow, succeed, and curb migration toward NCR and metropolitan cities.

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The government will focus on developing industrial clusters, improving infrastructure, and ensuring faster payments through digital platforms to ease compliance and reduce daily operational challenges. The initiative is also expected to boost exports and enhance competitiveness in sectors such as textiles and manufacturing.