GUWAHATI, Sept 12 - The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector can play a major role in not only promoting entrepreneurship but also in economic and industrial development in the North Eastern region and all efforts must be made to promote the sector.
This view emerged during the MSME Summit 2015 organized here yesterday by industry chamber ICC.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anup K Pujari, secretary of the Department of MSME of Government of India, emphasized the point that while in the present scenario the government is unable to generate the number of jobs as demanded by the ever increasing educated youth population, it becomes imperative for the government to create an environment that enables the growth of MSME for economic development.
He urged the entrepreneurs to come up with innovative solutions for the growth of their enterprise and seek the role of the government only as a facilitator in the process.
Pujari sought the cooperation of the State government to play a more proactive role in the MSME Council, especially in addressing issues related to timely and efficient release of payments to the MSMEs.
Interacting with the different entrepreneurs, Pujari stressed the need for enterprises to deliver quality products and services that would compel its success in the competitive market.
Assam Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia spoke of the need for a change in the attitude towards entrepreneurship in society and to encourage the young educated population to invest in an idea that would be successful in meeting an un-met need when implemented.
He assured the entrepreneurs of the support of various State government departments and organizations like DICC, ASIDC, and AIDC in providing them with all necessary assistance.
He stated that the State Government is proactively working on creating the required environment for ease of doing business in the State and pointed out how the land laws have been recently amended that now provides for use of land that is not utilized for agricultural activity for a period of 10 years for industrial purpose.
SS Barik, Zonal Manager of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), said that the apex bank has set its target on increasing credit to the MSME sector.
�Huge amount of credit has to flow to the sector and for that enabling legislations are a must,� he said.
Barik said that the apex bank will train 4,500 bankers this year across the country as part of a capacity building exercise to give them �confidence and knowledge while lending to the MSME sector.�
Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Chairman of ICC North East Initiative, MK Saharia said that there is ample scope growth of the MSME sector in the country.
�In the Northeast, the MSME sector will be the engine of growth. If we have to catch up with the rest of the country, we need to grow at 12 per cent annually�, he said.
Expressing concern over the lack of entrepreneurial activities in the region, he said efforts must be made to change this for the Northeast to realise its full potential.
He also called upon the Centre to re-introduce the North East Industrial & Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) by eliminating its loopholes so that the region can achieve a level playing field.
