ESC calls budget ICT centric, urges new schemes for MSMEs to support with global supply chains

New Delhi, Feb 2 (KNN) The Union Budget shows dependency on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector, but we hope the government will come out with a new scheme exclusively for MSMEs to align them with global supply chains, said Sandeep Narula, Chairman, Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC).

“The scheme must be released soon as the ICT sector has been performing exceedingly well and MSMEs are the pillars,” he added.

Naruala highlighted the budget having an interface with technology and digital platforms, be they are connected with introduction of the new digital currency to be operated through blockchains, or welfare measures like education and healthcare, e-passports, banking, land reforms  or programmes for ensuring better governance, he stated in a press release.

The ESC chairman has shown enthusiasm for transformation of leveraging technology for common good.

Further he emphasised on the impact budget has on the ICT industry which could be gauged only after looking at the final print of the Bbdget.

“Yet, ESC feels  that  the announcement by the Finance Minister to re-calibrate customs duties to provide a graded rate structure and duty concessions to help boost electronic products, is an encouraging one  and hoped that such changes would be to further address the inverted duty structure on the ICT components to ensure a degree of protection to the struggling domestic component manufacturers,” he added.

Welcomed the other digital related aspects in the Budget, Narula appreciated the initiatives announced such as setting up of a digital university, PM E-Vidya scheme to universalize quality education, start-ups focused programmes to innovate and develop drone technology, focus on R&D etc. (KNN Bureau)