Media service for MSME Knowledge & News Network launched

Promoted by the Federation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (FISME) in partnership with GIZ- German Agency for International Cooperation, KNN is a multi-media platform equipped to disseminate news, views and analysis of the topical issues through texts, graphics and videos.   

Launching the service here last evening,   Mr Muniyappa said, “MSMEs work silently but they have been the engine of growth for the Indian economy. More importantly, their contribution to equity is unparalleled. Almost half of the MSMEs are owned by the deprived d section of the society.”

However, as they are largely unorganised and scattered over a vast geography, it becomes difficult for both the policy makers and the MSMEs to reach out to each other.  “Emergence of KNN is a very timely development and will fill up this gap,” the minister said.

With the active participation of 158 industry associations and 110 institutions, including the prestigious Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI),the  Banaras Hindu University, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)  and the  Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)   KNN newsroom  will connect millions of MSMEs to the policy makers both at the Centre and the states. Thus, the KNN newsroom has 268 nodes on the ground with coverage extending to 24 states and 41 major sectors.

The promoters have a clear vision for the KNN and they would like to see it grow as an independent media company. “While FISME has incubated KNN with the support of GIZ and will continue to support from outside, it is to grow out as an independent media entity in a couple of years and serve the MSME sector without fear or favour”, FISME President D Gandhikumar said.

GIZ Director, Private Sector Development, Manfred Haebig, while underscoring the importance of institutions to balance cooperation and competition said, “We support KNN because we believe in their vision of inclusive growth…we believe there will not be any inclusive growth without strong MSME growth.  KNN is India’s first attempt to put news on MSME on centre stage.”

Assuring support to the MSME sector, CEO Prasar Bharti, Jawhar Sircar said, they could pick up some good stories and circulate them in the public service broadcasting network. 

The professional team of journalists at the KNN also has the guidance available from a high level Advisory Board, comprising eminent economists and media personalities.
An impressive launch function of the KNN was also attended by Secretary in the Ministry of MSME, Mr Madhav Lal, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner and Mr Amrendra Sinha.  (KNN)