AP Chambers Says Union Budget Balanced, Pragmatic

AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao said, “We congratulate Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on presenting the Union Budget for a record ninth time. The budget reflects a balanced and pragmatic approach, especially in the backdrop of global economic uncertainties arising from geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions. The government’s emphasis on fiscal consolidation and structural reforms is encouraging.”

Bhaskara Rao welcomed the announcement of a ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, along with a ₹4,000-crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund in 2026–27, saying these measures would significantly support MSMEs facing liquidity constraints despite existing credit guarantee mechanisms. The proposal to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters would provide a much-needed relief to micro enterprises struggling for access to capital.

The AP Chambers president lauded the government’s focus on manufacturing and technology, including the launch of ISM 2.0, enhancement of Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay to ₹40,000 crore, and support for rare-earth mineral corridors, including the one in Andhra Pradesh.

AP Chambers’ executive vice president B. Raja Sekhar said, “The decision to facilitate all CPSE purchases from MSMEs through TReDS will significantly improve liquidity and timely payments. Continued infrastructure development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will boost regional economic activity. The rare-earth corridor announced for Andhra Pradesh will further strengthen the State’s industrial ecosystem.”