The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has unveiled several initiatives aimed at fostering the growth and development of MSMEs, including the Champions 2.0 Portal and a mobile application for the geotagging of cluster projects and technology centres.
In celebration of International MSME Day, the Ministry commemorated Udyami Bharat (Enterprising India)-MSME Day, where these initiatives were announced. According to news reports, the portal and app aim to address the challenges encountered by MSMEs in effectively managing their cluster projects. Geotagging allows the real-time monitoring, tracking, and evaluation of projects. This will promote transparency and optimise resource utilisation.
The Champions portal, which stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength, was launched in 2020. It ensures the seamless and efficient redressal of MSMEs’ grievances.
They offer comprehensive support through handholding and assistance in navigating government schemes and policies. Through the portal, MSMEs can receive guidance and advisory services for finance, marketing, technology, raw materials, labour, infrastructure, and capacity building.
It also facilitates connections between MSMEs and officials from the ministry, state governments, lending institutions, and national agencies. Moreover, it helps disseminate information and promote awareness about the schemes offered by the Ministry of MSME, ensuring that MSMEs stay informed and have access to the necessary resources for their growth and success.
At the Udyami Bharat event, the Ministry launched the MSME Idea Hackathon 3.0 for women entrepreneurs. MSME Minister Narayan Rane highlighted the significant role played by MSMEs in the country’s GDP and exports. He was optimistic that MSMEs will contribute to 50% of the country’s GDP by 2030. Rane congratulated the stakeholders involved in the event and urged everyone to collectively work towards the ambitious goal of making India a US$ 5 trillion economy.
Also at the event, several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event:
- The Ministry of MSME and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will create a portal for the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PMVIKAS) scheme, to support local creative industries.
- The Ministry of MSME and GeM (Government e-Marketplace) will facilitate the sharing of Udyam Registration data with GeM for last-mile registration of MSMEs in the Public Procurement ecosystem. Udyam Registration is a general certification that allows MSMEs to register themselves with the government.
- The Ministry of MSME and the Industry Department of the government of Tripura agreed to share Udyam Registration data through API (Application Programming Interface) to simplify policy-making processes and enable the targeted distribution of scheme benefits.
- The Ministry of MSME partnered with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) to extend guarantee coverage to beneficiaries in the MSME sector.
- The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) will collaborate to support SC/ST entrepreneurs under the National SC-ST Hub.
The Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, highlighted the progress made by India’s GDP ranking, ascending from the 10th to the 5th position since 2014.
The Union Ministers further motivated entrepreneurs by presenting certificates to Gold and Silver ZED-certified MSMEs. Additionally, a 400 crore Margin Money subsidy was also released digitally, benefiting 10,075 beneficiaries associated with new units under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).