Needs and Challenges of SMEs in India

BANGALORE, INDIA:

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role for the growth of Indian economy by contributing 45% of industrial output, 40% of exports, employing 60 million people, create 1.3 million jobs every year and produce more than 8000 quality products for the Indian and international markets. SME’s Contribution towards GDP in 2011 was 17% which is expected to increase to 22% by 2012. There are approximately 30 million MSME Units in India and 12 million persons are expected to join the workforce in the next 3 years. SMEs are the fountain head of several innovations in manufacturing and service sectors, the major link in the supply chain to corporate and the PSUs. By promoting SMEs, the rural areas of India will be developed.

SMEs are now exposed to greater opportunities than ever for expansion and diversification across the sectors. Indian market is growing rapidly and Indian entrepreneurs are making remarkable progress in various Industries like Manufacturing, Precision Engineering Design, Food Processing, Pharmaceutical, Textile & Garments, Retail, IT and ITES, Agro and Service sector.

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Challenges to SME Sector

Despite its commendable contribution to the Nation's economy, SME Sector does not get the required support from the concerned Government Departments, Banks, Financial Institutions and Corporate, which is a handicap in becoming more competitive in the National and International Markets.

SMEs faces a number of problems - absence of adequate and timely banking finance, limited capital and knowledge, non-availability of suitable technology, low production capacity, ineffective marketing strategy, identification of new markets, constraints on modernisation & expansions, non availability of highly skilled labour at affordable cost, followup with various government agencies to resolve problems etc.

Need of the Hour

To empower the SME Sector to take its rightful place as the growth engine of Indian economy, it is necessary to support the SMEs, educate and empower them to make optimum utilization of the resources, both human and economic, to achieve success. The SMEs need to be educated and informed of the latest developments taking place globally and helped to acquire skills necessary to keep pace with the global developments.

SME Chamber of India has decided to start various activities to empower and educate the SME Sector by organising various trade promotional activities in India and abroad. Also provide assistance and support for the promotion of domestic business as well as export promotion of the SME sector.