Himachal Gears Up for Him MSME Fest 2026 to Boost ‘Atmanirbhar’ Industrial Growth.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh is all set to host the Him MSME Fest 2026, a major initiative aimed at strengthening the State’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector and advancing the vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Himachal’. The three-day festival will be organised by the Department of Industries from January 3 to 5, 2026, in Shimla.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing the media here today, said that the Him MSME Fest 2026 is envisioned as a powerful platform to realise the aspirations of thousands of small entrepreneurs, artisans and start-ups across the State. He said the festival would serve as a milestone in connecting Himachal Pradesh’s MSME ecosystem with markets, investments and modern technologies, while also providing national and international recognition to local enterprises.
The Chief Minister stated that the event would significantly strengthen the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Himachal’ by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive industrial growth. Highlighting the theme, “The Craft of the Hills on the Global Stage,” he said the festival would focus on linking Himachal’s traditional and local products with global markets, thereby enhancing their visibility and commercial reach.
He further added that the festival would act as a unique convergence point for emerging and established start-ups, bringing together ideas, innovation and investment under one roof. Entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to showcase their products and services, interact directly with investors and buyers, and explore avenues for business expansion.
Describing Him MSME Fest 2026 as a priority initiative of the State Government, the Chief Minister said it is aimed at promoting inclusive industrial development through investment facilitation, women entrepreneurship and enterprise promotion.
Industries Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan said that the inaugural session of the festival would feature Start-up Awards and a felicitation ceremony, followed by a vibrant cultural evening showcasing the rich folk traditions of Himachal Pradesh. He added that a special exhibition of handcrafted shawls would be organised on the first day, highlighting the traditional weaving and handicraft heritage of various districts and offering visitors a glimpse into the State’s economic and cultural diversity.
Emphasising the future industrial roadmap of Himachal Pradesh, the Industries Minister said that priority is being given to sectors such as green mobility, defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, dairy, food processing, artificial intelligence, electronic chips and data centres to accelerate industrialisation. He said that strategic dialogues are underway with leading industry players in these emerging sectors to attract fresh investments to the State.
Special emphasis during the festival will be laid on women entrepreneurship and the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Through buyer-seller meets, knowledge-sharing sessions and networking interactions, women and rural entrepreneurs will gain access to new markets and opportunities, thereby strengthening the rural economy.
During the event, direct interactions will be facilitated with major platforms such as Walmart, Amazon, ONDC and GI-tagged marketplaces, providing MSMEs exposure to large-scale national and global supply chains.
The Him MSME Fest 2026 is being organised in consultation with Ernst & Young, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful platform for the growth of Himachal Pradesh’s MSME sector.
