The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : `Infrastructure, skills vital for industrial units'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 04, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

`Infrastructure, skills vital for industrial units'

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, FEB. 3. Upgrading of skills and improvement of infrastructure are important for the success of industrial ventures. This was stressed at an awareness programme focussing on credit- linked, capital-subsidy schemes and other schemes of the Union Government at a sensitisation workshop organised here today by the Small Industries Service Institute (SISI).

Officials of various agencies working in the small-industries sector elaborated on various schemes meant to help entrepreneurs.

Gunasegaran, General Manager, Small Industries Development Bank of India, Kochi, said small and medium industries played a vital role in the growth of Gross Domestic Product and helped generate employment. Absence of latest technology, delayed payment by purchasers, inadequate working capital and non-availability of funds for marketing were some of the problems plaguing the sector.

Loans without security

He said the bank was providing term loans and funds without collateral security. A venture fund had also been set up. Technology upgrading, marketing and expenses incurred for getting ISO certificate were eligible for assistance under various schemes, he said.

The SISI Director, Lambert Joseph, unveiled a series of schemes meant for small and medium enterprises.

Set up under the Ministry of Small-scale Industries, the SISI offers project selection, project profiles, selection of plant and machinery, process know-how and modernisation of units. It also undertakes unit-revival studies in the case of sick industries, vendor development and organises programmes for development of entrepreneurship, managerial skills and self-support. Some of the other focus areas of the SISI include pollution control, energy conservation, intellectual property rights, anti-dumping, cluster development and biotechnology. A technology resource centre and a Kerala Subcontract Exchange meant to provide information on tenders are also part of the SISI.

Credit plan

A.V.V. Subramanian of the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) said the bank formulated potential-linked credit plan which was the basis for district credit plans. Investment in agriculture and allied activities, such as minor irrigation, land development and soil conservation, were eligible for refinance from the NABARD. Setting up agri-business centres and investment for welfare of artisans were some of the areas in focus. The bank had a rural entrepreneurship development programme to assist competent agencies for conducting training classes for artisans. Common service centres for entrepreneurs and artisans' guild were also part of the NABARD schemes.

The Assistance to Rural Women in Non-farm Development (Arwind) is a NABARD scheme for organising women's groups and training them for sensitisation and skill development.

Agriculture and rural enterprises' incubation fund and assistance for marketing non-farm products of rural women were some of the other schemes undertaken by the bank.

K.P. Kamalakaran, Senior Branch Manager, National Small Industries Corporation Ltd., called upon people of the State to utilise the schemes offered by the corporation. For instance, entrepreneurs could register with the district industries wing and avail themselves of the facilities offered. K. Hareeswaran , Assistant Director, SISI, proposed a vote of thanks.

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