Minister Patowary calls upon entrepreneurs to utilize local resources for value-added commercial production

INTERNATIONAL MSME DAY

GUWAHATI: Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary participated in a webinar organized by the Industries and Commerce Department on the occasion of 'International MSME Day' on Sunday.

Officials of the Commissionerate of Industries and Commerce, AIDC, AIIDC, ASIDC, MSME-DI, National Small Industries Corporation, General Managers of DICCs, NIC, FINER, Assam Start-Up, business leaders, entrepreneurs participated in the virtual meeting.

The United Nations General Assembly, recognizing the need to improve small business development, decided to observe June 27 as Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day. The aim of the resolution is to raise public awareness of the contribution of MSMEs and actions required to support small business.

Addressing the participants, Patowary said, 'MSME is synonymous to the industrial scenario in a state like Assam. This is represented by the fact that there are 66,584 number of industries in Assam, out of which 88% is Micro, 11.5% is Small and Medium industries. Assam's GDP is Rs 4.09 lakh crore and industry sector contributes 39% to the state GDP. MSME is regarded as the backbone of our economy. With minimum capital investment, MSME ensures maximum employment in comparison to the large industries which mostly rely on automation and Artificial Intelligence.'

The Minister added that in the present COVID pandemic situation, MSME sector deserves special attention. 'Due to the lockdown, MSMEs have been badly hit which led to the closure of several units and hence, loss of employment and livelihood for workers. The Union Government had announced Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan of Rs. 20 lakh crore stimulus package to revive and boost the MSME sector. Over Rs. 1,536 crore have been sanctioned for the MSMEs in Assam till May, 2021 under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee (ECLG) Scheme.

Patowary reiterated the commitment of the State Government for the economic development and generation of employment through industrialization in Assam and ensuring ease of doing business to the investors and entrepreneurs. 'In order to create a business-friendly environment in the state, the Assam Government introduced the Assam MSME (Facilitation of Establishment and Operation) Act, 2020 which exempts entrepreneurs from the long procedures of approvals and inspections for setting up of MSMEs in the state.' He further encouraged the entrepreneurs to take initiative for commercial processing of local resources like bamboo, agarwood, turmeric, ginger, etc. for value added exports.

Dr. KK Dwivedi, Principal Secretary, expressed the hope that the MSMEs will fully tap the potentiality that a growing consumer market offers. The department officials explained to the entrepreneurs about various policies, schemes, incentives to encourage investment and setting up of industries in Assam.

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