CHALLENGES TO MSME

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.

Despite of the importance of the MSMEs in Indian economic growth, the sector is facing challenges and does not get the required support from the concerned Government Departments, Banks, Financial Institutions and Corporates which is proving to be a hurdle in the growth path of the MSMEs. The list of the problems that are faced by existing/new companies in SME sector are as under:

1. Absence of adequate and timely banking finance
2. Limited capital and knowledge
3. Non-availability of suitable technology
4. Low production capacity
5. Ineffective marketing strategy
6. Constraints on modernisation & expansions
7. Non availability of skilled labour at affordable cost
8. Follow up with various government agencies to resolve problems due to lack of man power and knowledge etc.

It is very important to empower the SME sector to utilize the limited resources (human & economic) they have in an optimum manner. 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. 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.

To counter the challenges faced by SME sector and grab the opportunities in the market, the Chamber has developed key strategies to promote and support the SME sector. The Chamber encourages SMEs to adopt innovative ideas and concepts for the promotion of their business. The goal of the Chamber is to organise Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and Training Programs and other trade promotional activities to educate & create awareness amongst the SMEs. CIMSME has decided to start various activities to empower and educate the SME Sector by organising various trade promotional activities.