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The government has decided to establish a National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC). Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, has said that the Council has been established "in view of the key role that the industrial sector plays in the development of the economy and in providing employment. It would help in enhancing the competitiveness of the Indian manufacturing sector". According to a notification dated 21st September, 2004 issued by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Council will be an apex body which will provide inputs for policy making as well as suggest measures for enhancing the competitiveness of the Indian industry.
The role of the NMCC will include:
Identification of manufacturing sectors, which have potential for global competitiveness, problems and constraints in such sectors with respect to structure and size of industry, technology gaps, modernisation needs etc;
Evolving sector-specific strategies for enhancing competitiveness of manufacturing sector;
Recommending measures to create common infrastructure and facilities such as testing, quality, design, HRD, skills, training institutes, etc; and
Providing forum for dialogue between the public and private sectors, labour and academic sectors.
The NMCC will advise the government on industrial and sector-specific initiatives that may be required for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian industries. It would, inter-alia, include:
Sectoral and enterprise level initiatives;
Innovation and technology development (R&D);
Entrepreneurship promotion;
Infrastructure and enabling facilities;
Trade and fiscal policies; and
Employment generation
The Council will be an autonomous body under the administrative control of DIPP. While the composition of the Council is to be notified separately, Shri V. Krishnamurthy, has been appointed as Chairman of the NMCC, consequent upon the establishment of the Council. According to an Office Order issued by the DIPP dated 22 September, 2004, the Chairman/NMCC will hold a rank and status of the Union Cabinet Minister.
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