MSME Push to Infra Growth: Women Leaders React to Budget 2026

By: WE staff

Nisha Shah, Partner at AUM Ventures (Investment/Finance)

“The Union Budget 2026 sends a clear and consistent signal on the urgency of advancing frontier technologies and AI. Building on announcements made last year such as the ₹1 lakh crore commitment for emerging technologies through the RDI scheme, now operationalised via the ANRF, the National Quantum Mission, enhanced support for the SRI Fund, and the ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, the government has put in place both capital and institutional mechanisms to accelerate innovation and its implementation. The Budget also recognises the importance of skilling for emerging technologies and AI, alongside measures to enable this transition. We are strongly bullish that these initiatives will translate rapidly into on-ground, technology-led commercial outcomes. India has long had a deep reservoir of talent with a strong affinity for deep science and biology, and this policy momentum, combined with other tailwinds, materially strengthens India’s position as a global deeptech powerhouse.”

Minal Srinivasan, Managing Director, Kesari Infrabuild

"The Budget’s focus on strengthening urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is a positive step, recognising their growing role in India’s development. Continued support through instruments such as the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund should help improve visibility on the flow and financing of urban infrastructure projects across regions. The emphasis on climate-friendly, multimodal solutions in logistics is also encouraging and can support the steady expansion of sustainable infrastructure.

For MSMEs like ours, measures aimed at improving liquidity and easing access to credit are welcome, as they can help businesses gradually scale capabilities and invest in cleaner technologies. The introduction of She-Mart is a thoughtful initiative that can widen access to credit-linked products for women entrepreneurs and support their participation in India’s economic growth."