New Delhi, Nov 29 (KNN) Shortage of skilled labour is one of the major problems faced by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, said Rene Van Berkel, the representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to India.

He said this during the southern region stakeholder’s consultation meeting on ‘Clean and Modern Small Industries 2030’.

“MSMEs need more people with technical skills such as welders and CNC operators and people with soft skills such as team workers and people with problem solving abilities,” said Berkel.

He said this gap could be bridged by conducting training and skill development programmes.

The meeting was organized by the Coimbatore Industrial Infrastructure Association (Coindia).

In an initiative to make MSMEs modern and cleaner within 2030, Coindia has asked UNIDO to take stock of the present situation of MSMEs and provide inputs to improve them.

MSMEs in India mostly depend on informal financial channels rather than banks or organized financial channels, which prove to be expensive for them, said Berkel.

Members of MSMEs must also develop financial management skills, Berkel said.

“As many MSMEs in the region have become traditional enterprises managed by second generation from amilies, they have become complacent and resistant to change,” he said.

“MSMEs should be ready to adopt change,” he added.

He said while some companies recycle waste and put it to use, a majority of MSMEs have still a long way to go to manage waste.

UNIDO representatives would compile inputs received from MSMEs across the country and submit it to development commissioner of ministry of MSME.

Berkel had come to interact with MSME stakeholders as part of the nation-wide programme to collect inputs for making the small industries achieve a sustainable growth.