New Delhi, Sep 19 (KNN) Updating information on the MSME Databank is compulsory for all micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the data would be used for evolving parameters for the growth of the sector, said KK Jalan, Secretary, Ministry of MSME here today. He also pressed upon the need to look at MSME in a holistic perspective.

He urged MSMEs in the country to update the details of their enterprises on the MSME data bank.

Jalan was delivering the inaugural address at the FICCI-CMSME’s sixth annual MSME Summit on the theme ‘Propelling MSME Growth: Ways & Means’.

Jalan said that the government was also planning to identify 25-30 sub-sectors in MSMEs and focus on these sectors for raising productivity and enhancing the overall landscape of MSMEs.

Jalan said that there was a need to carry out academic work in the space to understand the challenges and issues of the sector.

He suggested that FICCI should come out with knowledge papers focusing on the specific concerns of the sector.

Speaking about the financing aspect of the MSMEs, Jalan said that there was a need to carry out research in this area as it has been seen that SME credit by banks was going down. He suggested that for MSMEs, a dedicated financing institute could be established like private sector non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

Jalan said that in the MSMEs, manufacturing has been the focus area but now was the time to look at MSME in a holistic perspective.

MSMEs in services, training, retail and wholesale and ancillary industries of big companies, traditional set ups, should also be given due importance. He added that employment generation and import substitution should also be focused on.

Jalan released the Institute of Small Enterprises Development (ISED) & FICCI-CMSME knowledge paper on ‘Improving Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs: A Review of Union and State Initiatives in India’.

Highlighting the challenges for MSME sector, Sanjay Bhatia, President, FICCI-CMSME and Managing Director, Hindustan Tin Works Limited, said that to propel MSMEs there was a need to build an enabling environment for MSMEs. The Government was already working on a MSME Policy, but he suggested that the MSME Policy document must contain some provision for sector specific dedicated industrial estate/ clusters for MSMEs with the support from State Government.

“Also, micro enterprises should be exempted from all compliance, inspection and labour laws for certain period. A guide could be provided to them on the compliances that they need to adhere to in those years. In order to make MSMEs grow vertically, MSMEs should be facilitated with the tax benefits linked to direct employment generated by MSMEs and Start-up businesses,” he added.

As per policy benefits, MSMEs adopting latest clean and green technologies across sectors should be incentivized by the government. The Government should look for a possible collaboration with institutions which can help MSMEs in their R&D activities, said Bhatia.

A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI & FICCI-CMSME, said that the programme ‘Make in India’ should focus on MSMEs as it is the sector which will generate employment and not the big industries where manpower was being replaced with technology. (KNN Bureau)