NE BUSINESS BUREAU
PUDUCHERRY, JULY 9
Calling for a stronger financial ecosystem to accelerate India’s entrepreneurial growth, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi urged banks to significantly enhance institutional credit for MSMEs, asserting that easier access to finance, technology and skills is essential for transforming small businesses into engines of economic growth.
- Union MSME Minister reviews implementation of flagship schemes and calls for faster delivery of institutional credit to entrepreneurs
- Technology, finance, market access, quality certification and skill development identified as the five pillars of a stronger MSME ecosystem
- Comprehensive review covers PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma, CGTMSE, RAMP, LEAN, ZED, PMS, IPR and CHAMPIONS initiatives
- Minister visits MSME Technology Centre and MSME Testing Station to assess skill development, advanced manufacturing and quality infrastructure
- Centre reiterates commitment to building a globally competitive MSME sector aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat
During his two-day visit to Puducherry on July 8–9, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of the implementation of flagship MSME schemes and directed stakeholders to ensure wider access to technology, institutional finance, skill development, market linkages and quality support infrastructure for entrepreneurs across the Union Territory.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Manjhi interacted with senior officials of the Ministry of MSME, the Government of Puducherry, the Development and Facilitation Office, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Coir Board, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), members of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), MSME associations and other stakeholders.
The review featured detailed presentations by the Government of Puducherry and the Ministry of MSME on the Union Territory’s enterprise ecosystem and progress under flagship initiatives, including the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), PM Vishwakarma, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), MSME Competitive (LEAN), MSME Sustainable (ZED), Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP), Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Scheme and CHAMPIONS.
Discussions focused on increasing awareness, expanding outreach and improving the adoption of these programmes to strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
The Minister urged banks to facilitate greater access to institutional credit for MSMEs and called upon all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of government initiatives aimed at enhancing enterprise competitiveness and sustainable growth.
During his visit to the MSME Technology Centre, Puducherry, Manjhi reviewed the Centre’s advanced training and production facilities and interacted with trainees undergoing technology-driven skill development programmes.
Inspecting products manufactured using modern machinery, he emphasised that equipping young people with industry-relevant technological skills and preparing them for employment and entrepreneurship remains a key priority of the Ministry.
He observed that MSME Technology Centres are playing a crucial role in creating a skilled workforce, strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities and advancing the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
The Minister also visited the MSME Testing Station, where he reviewed its testing laboratories, quality assurance systems and technical support services available to MSMEs.
Appreciating the institution’s contribution to quality certification, technical assistance and capacity building, he stressed the need to create greater awareness among entrepreneurs so that more MSMEs can utilise these facilities to improve product quality and competitiveness.
The visit reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building a resilient and globally competitive MSME ecosystem in Puducherry by strengthening access to finance, modern technology, skilled manpower, quality infrastructure and institutional support.
