How MSMEs Can Compete in Global Markets

The following article is attributed to Vishal Prakash Shah, Founder and CEO of Synersoft Technologies supporting UnitedSMEs

India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are rightly called the backbone of the economy. They account for nearly 30% of GDP, employ more than 110 million people, and contribute significantly to exports. But as supply chains realign and global competition intensifies, MSMEs face a defining question: how can they not just participate but thrive in international markets?

Compliance as the New Passport to Global Business

Global buyers; whether large domestic enterprises, multinational corporations, or government bodies; are raising the bar. Vendors are now expected to meet requirements on cybersecurity, data protection, sustainability, and industry-specific regulations. For MSMEs, this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity. Compliance-ready enterprises gain credibility, better market access, and long-term customer trust, while those lacking documented readiness risk being excluded from consideration altogether.

Being compliance-ready is more than ticking boxes. It signals maturity; an MSME that safeguards data, operates transparently, and can withstand audits or disruptions. Increasingly, procurement departments use compliance as a differentiator when choosing strategic partners.

The Business Continuity Advantage

Compliance readiness also strengthens internal discipline. Standardized practices for data security, access control, and incident management reduce downtime, safeguard intellectual property, and ensure business continuity. This resilience is vital for MSMEs in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, defence, aerospace, and healthcare, where the cost of lapses can be severe.

Exploring Alternative Markets in a Shifting World

Recent tariff measures in the United States have disrupted established trade flows and created uncertainty for exporters. For Indian MSMEs, this should not be seen merely as a setback but as a prompt to diversify international exposure. Markets in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are increasingly open to Indian products and services, especially as global supply chains look for alternatives to China.

MSMEs that are compliance-ready and capable of demonstrating reliability are well positioned to capture these opportunities. Strategic market diversification also reduces overdependence on any single geography, making businesses more resilient to geopolitical or policy shocks.

The “Make in India” Multiplier

Domestically, the Government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives are creating fertile ground for MSMEs. From tax reforms and skill development programs to financial incentives and infrastructure investments, the ecosystem is being strengthened to enable MSMEs to become not just suppliers but global manufacturers.

The real opportunity lies in combining these initiatives with export-oriented strategies. An MSME that aligns with Make in India while meeting global compliance norms can become part of international supply chains as a trusted, regulation-ready partner.

The Googly of IT Adoption

However, MSMEs must still overcome a tough “googly”: IT adoption. Many still see IT narrowly as accounting software, while global clients expect digitization, cybersecurity, and compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001. Without robust IT infrastructure, MSMEs risk falling behind.

The shortage of skilled IT talent compounds the problem, as professionals prefer larger enterprises. This is where simplified, cost-effective technologies become essential.

Simplified, Affordable Solutions

Traditional enterprise-grade IT systems are often too costly and complex for MSMEs. What they need are plug-and-play solutions that integrate data protection, cybersecurity, IT standardization, and compliance reporting. Emerging “IT in a Box” products are addressing this gap; allowing MSMEs to centralize data, prevent leaks, mitigate insider threats, and maintain audit-ready documentation, all without large IT teams or budgets.

By adopting such practical solutions, MSMEs can focus on growth while meeting the expectations of global partners.

From Vendor to Strategic Partner

The global business landscape is evolving. Buyers no longer want just vendors; they want partners who are resilient, responsible, and regulation-ready. For Indian MSMEs, compliance, IT standardization, and market diversification are not costs; they are business enablers.

Those who seize this moment; aligning with Make in India, exploring new international markets, and embracing simplified IT solutions; will not just survive globalization, they will thrive as trusted partners in international value chains.

About the Author

Vishal Shah is the Founder and CEO of Synersoft Technologies (maker of BLACKbox) and a strong advocate for MSME growth through technology adoption. Known in the industry as the “Go-to Guy for MSMEs,” he also champions initiatives such as UnitedSMEs to help small businesses embrace digitization and AI-driven transformation.