New Delhi, Apr 15 (KNN) In a study conducted recently by the Chamber of Commercial and Industrial Undertakings (CICU) it was found that the MSMEs in the district lags behind in terms of adopting latest technology and tools with only 27 per cent of the units having their websites, and merely 9 per cent of the units using advanced software for research and development and product development.

Upkar Singh Ahuja, CICU General Secretary said that given the fast changing global environment, adopting information technology is paramount. 

“With so much information glut all around, modern day marketing tools and technologies have become a prerequisite for standing out and gaining visibility in the stiff competition internally and internationally,” he added.

The study had a sample size of around 200 units in the MSME sector, including firms in different spheres such as those manufacturing bicycle parts, textile, automotive components, sewing machines and hand tools with a turnover of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 5 crore. Key findings of the study indicated that 73 per cent units continue to operate using traditional printed directories in the age of internet.

Around 20 per cent of the units still don’t have computers and continue to maintain records in books instead of using computers. 46 per cent still continue to rely only on traditional marketing methods instead of using computers or mobiles.

Avtar Singh, President, CICU expressed that it is ironic to see even though India is considered to be an IT superpower; MSMEs in India have been tardy in adopting technology and hardware.

CICU has written to the Ministry to help provide support to the sector. It has sought loan and subsidy for computerisation. The industrial body has also urged the Ministry to buy software in bulk at competitive price and make it available at affordable price to the MSME units. It has further sought support for IT training under the Skill Development Initiative Scheme, in which the government bears the training cost to industry. To make latest technology available for the industry, industry-oriented hardware and software centres must be set up by the government across the country, CICU demanded. (KNN/ DA)