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Shri Mahabir Prasad , Union Minister of Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries has stressed upon the need for a concerted and cohesive policy and approach for development and growth of small scale industries in the country.
Inaugurating a day’s Workshop on the “Role of Small Industry Association in Changing Policy Environment” here today , Shri Mahabir Prasad stated that the small scale industries sector accounts for 95 per cent of industrial units, 40 per cent of output of the manufacturing sector, 35 per cent of total export and provides employment to around 283 lakh people, which signifies the strength and potentiality of the SSI in the country.
The Minister further stated that in the present changing scenario, the country needs strong SSI Associations and it is the associations which give valuable suggestions and inputs to the Government for formulating an integrated SSI policy. He also remarked that the people have to change the mentality and aptitude, particularly in the wake of globalisation and liberalisation as the globalisation and WTO have posed a big challenge to the small investors and small investors have to face it boldly.
Emphasising on the initiatives of the Government, he said that his Ministry has come forward with several need based development schemes for the small scale entrepreneurs and the onus of bringing it before entrepreneurs becomes primary issue for industry associations.
The Minister expressed his concern and pointed out that in the present times, small Industry Associations had got pre-occupied only with local and peripheral works and appealed them to expand their activities. However, he hoped that the present Workshop will come up with definite Action Plan which will help the Government in expansion and growth of SSI in the country.
Concluding his speech , Shri Prasad said that his Government is totally committed for the development of small scale industries in the country and the small scale industries sector would be strengthened with the extension of services like technical assistance, counselling , training, establishment of common facilitation centres etc.
The Workshop was organised by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad and sponsored by National Entrepreneurship Development Board, Ministry of Industry (SSI & ARI), Government of India. The objectives of the Workshop were to present a study that EDI had carried out on the role of Small Scale Industry Associations in the existing policy environment and decide the future action plan for facilitating the growth of entrepreneurs and help them understand the current trends in global economic scenario.
Representatives from various organizations like Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), FICCI, North East Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association, Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industries etc. participated in the said Workshop.
SKM: PM
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