“The Union Budget complements the main takeaways from the Economic Survey and focuses clearly on the medium-term development of the economy. The thrust on agriculture, skill development, and MSMEs consequently leading to employment generation will continue to be the main focus areas for the government in the coming years. The overall size of the budget has remained almost unchanged from the Interim one. The budget has shown strong intent on moving along the fiscal prudence path and targeted the fiscal deficit at 4.9% for the year. The said action will keep the growth steady as well as robust not only for the economy but also for banking. This will make it easier to touch the 4.5% mark in FY26 as per the FRBM target. More importantly for the financial year, the overall gross borrowing and net borrowings have been pegged at almost the same level as in the Interim Budget. This means that it is virtually neutral for the market in terms of liquidity and bond yields, which has a positive impact on the economy.

The banking sector can see substantial positive takeaways from the Budget which goes beyond the neutral impact on liquidity. First, there is a focus on MSMEs with a credit guarantee scheme being brought in. Any support to the MSMEs will be positive growth of not just GDP but also employment. Second, at the retail level, there is an emphasis on education loans which will also help in skill building that is the need of the day. Third, the Budget speech also spoke about recovery and the focus will be on debt recovery tribunals. Fourth, the balanced regional development goal also includes setting up more touch points in the North Eastern Regions which will help to make banking more universal. Lastly, the reiteration of the budget to encourage housing also means that banks will have a larger role to play in carrying out this program at both the rural and urban levels.“

Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director at Capri Global Capital Limited:

“We commend the Union Budget 2024-25 for its robust support towards MSMEs, a vital backbone of our economy. The budget’s enhancements to the credit guarantee scheme, regulatory reforms, and financial packages reflect a strong commitment to creating a supportive environment for MSMEs to thrive and compete globally. Notably, the budget also emphasizes affordable housing, which will further stimulate economic growth, improve asset quality, and create employment opportunities. The focus on e-commerce export hubs and technological upgrades for traditional artisans will not only strengthen domestic growth but also position Indian MSMEs as key players on the global stage.

Additionally, the measures to facilitate term loans for machinery and equipment without collateral, along with the establishment of new SIDBI branches, will significantly ease financial access for MSMEs. The budget’s emphasis on promoting women-led development through dedicated schemes benefiting them is a commendable step towards inclusive growth. Furthermore, the initiatives aimed at improving productivity and efficiency reflect India’s vision of becoming an inclusive and developed nation. These initiatives are poised to drive innovation, employment, and sustainable development within the sector, further strengthening India’s economic resilience.”

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MUMBAI: Udyog Plus, a B2B platform from Aditya Birla Finance Limited (“ABFL”), the lending subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”), is capitalizing on its growth trend. Within nine months of its launch, the platform has attracted over 8 lakh users, highlighting its strong acceptance in the MSME sector.  ABFL has played a major role in facilitating access to finance in two minutes for MSMEs.

Udyog Plus has facilitated loan disbursements exceeding ₹500 crore, with the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) ecosystem contributing about two-thirds of this amount. The platform manages an AUM of around ₹250 crore, serving various lending needs, including unsecured business loans, merchant loans, supply chain finance, and working capital solutions. Additionally, many customers use Udyog Plus to access insurance solutions along with loans.

ABFL is expanding Udyog Plus within the ABG ecosystem and reaching a broader MSME audience. The platform has partnered with major ecosystems such as e-commerce and digital platforms, business management platforms, and Digital Public Infrastructure like OCEN and ONDC. These partnerships enhance the platform’s offerings and reach.

Udyog Plus also provides value-added services such as business networking, digital commerce, and applications for accounting and payroll, helping MSMEs streamline their operations. The platform, including its mobile app, offers a complete digital journey from underwriting to collections, ensuring a seamless financing experience.

As Udyog Plus continues to expand, ABFL remains committed to delivering sustainable returns and enhancing its capacity to serve MSMEs. This growth aligns with the increasing credit disbursement trend to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Recently, it has been observed that the MSME sector in India is experiencing a credit boom, with credit to micro and small enterprises growing by 18.6% to ₹19.64 lakh crore in April 2024 compared to the previous year. Similarly, credit to medium-sized organizations also jumped by 16.5% during the same period.

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