Rs 5,000 crore MoUs, 32,000 jobs claimed — but how much sustainable business will be actually generated in Himachal?
Shimla, Jan 4:
As the Sukhu government showcased over Rs 5,000 crore worth of MoUs and 32,000 promised jobs at the HIM MSME Fest–2026, the central question remained: how many of these commitments have converted into sustained businesses, stable employment and assured markets for Himachal’s entrepreneurs and artisans?
Inaugurating the three-day fest at the Ridge, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said investor meets in Dubai, Japan and Mumbai had resulted in large investment commitments and approval of 683 industrial projects worth Rs 14,000 crore.
However, the government stopped short of placing on record how many units are operational, how many jobs are permanent, and how many are filled by local youth, leaving the real economic impact open to scrutiny.
While the government projected the HIM MSME Fest as a global platform for ‘Make in Himachal’ products, no data was shared on repeat buyers, export orders, long-term buyer contracts or price assurance mechanisms that could convert exhibition exposure into sustainable income for artisans, weavers and women entrepreneurs.
A hand-crafted Himachali shawl entering the Guinness Book of World Records was highlighted as a symbol of global recognition.
Yet industry observers point out that recognition without assured procurement, branding support and logistics access rarely translates into sustained livelihoods, especially for rural producers.
The employment claim of 32,000 jobs also remains largely on paper. Past experience in Himachal shows that many MoUs either remain unimplemented or generate short-term, contractual or outsourced employment, particularly in capital-intensive sectors like pharmaceuticals, data centres and defence manufacturing.
The government did not clarify how many jobs are long-term, skill-based and retained beyond the initial project phase.
Similarly, the startup push raised questions. While 107 start-ups have been launched in the last three years and 407 are said to be in the pipeline, there is no public audit on survival rates, revenue generation, or employment sustainability, making it difficult to assess whether these ventures are thriving or merely registered.
The government informed that Rs 1,642 crore worth of MSME proposals had been sent to the Centre, but only Rs 109.34 crore has been approved so far—raising concerns over funding gaps for rural MSMEs, particularly those under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, which depends heavily on market access rather than one-time grants.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said sectors such as green mobility, defence, AI, electronic chips and data centres were being prioritised.
However, experts caution that without a clear market absorption plan and environmental safeguards, such sectors may bring limited employment while increasing pressure on the state’s fragile ecology.
Despite participation of national and international companies, critics argue that HIM MSME Fest will be a true milestone only if it leads to sustained orders, long-term buyer tie-ups, transparent MoU tracking and verifiable job data—not just headline investment figures.
As the fest continues till January 5, the spotlight remains on whether the Sukhu government can move beyond event-driven optimism and demonstrate measurable outcomes in business continuity, job retention and assured markets for Himachal’s MSME sector.
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