CII Summit in Vizag: States must drive MSME supply chains, academia to fuel India’s space economy, says Lokesh

IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh arriving at the 31st CII Partnership Summit venue in Visakhapatnam on Friday. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU Even as the Central government largely governs the space sector, State governments can play a decisive role in building India’s new space economy, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh has said.The State governments can bridge the gap between major launch companies, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and academic institutions, he said at a session on ‘India’s New Space Economy’ on the second day of the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 in Visakhapatnam.Mr. Lokesh outlined a dual strategy of vertical and horizontal integration to position Andhra Pradesh as a preferred destination for space-sector investments.Addressing college students, he explained that vertical integration focuses on mapping the entire industrial value chain and attracting sub-component manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors to support private launch players such as Skyroot.Underscoring the critical role of MSMEs in strengthening domestic supply chains, he cited his recent interaction with an MSME exhibitor that had manufactured a protective shield for a rocket.On the horizontal front, Mr. Lokesh stressed the need to align academic curricula with emerging industrial requirements while strengthening research, testing, and certification infrastructure through Centres of Excellence.Pointing to the State’s collaboration with IIT Tirupati to set up a Centre of Excellence in the energy sector—driven by a growing regional cluster of ingot, solar wafer, and solar cell manufacturers—he said a similar institutional model would be vital for aerospace and space technologies.Calling for a dedicated national policy to nurture an integrated space ecosystem, Mr. Lokesh said States must proactively identify and cluster component vendors alongside major space firms.Bringing MSMEs, research bodies, and academia into a unified ecosystem, he noted, would unlock significant entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for young professionals. Published - November 13, 2026 08:32 pm IST