New Delhi, May 1 (IANS): Arvind Kumar Sharma (IAS) on Friday assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Starting the work on a war-footing, he held important meetings with senior officers to review the work of the Ministry and discussed pressing issues especially in the light of the impact of COVID -19 pandemic.

Sharma has emphasised that MSME sector is very crucial for the society and the economy.

Laying out his priorities, he has emphasised that after "we have dealt with the urgent situation, we need to work on creating Global Champion companies from MSMEs."

Prior to this appointment, Sharma was serving as Additional Secretary, Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He is 1988 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Sharma has also worked in the government of Gujarat at various positions, including at field and policy level, and has extensive experience of handling the portfolios of regulatory and developmental administration, disaster management, corporate management, industrial/investment promotion and infrastructure development.