SME
Inside This Issue
Business
Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Vol 7, No. 3, May 2010
FROM THE
CHAIRMAN’S DESK
M
icro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) col-
lectively function as the fulcrum of the national
economy, accounting for the bulk of industrial
output, exports and employment. The CII National MSME
Salil Singhal Council has pursued a multi-pronged strategy for placing
Chairman the sector on a high growth trajectory without diluting the
CII National MSME Council development goals. The last 12 months in particular bear
testimony to this.
Arising out of the Prime Minister's appointed Taskforce,
the Prime Minister's Council on Micro and Small Enterprises
has now been set up. As one of the first steps, we are work-
ing on preparing our recommendations on the labour laws
which are conducive to our sector.
On the other side, we have been actively work-
ing for the establishment of an SME Exchange and
organised a Conference in July 2009 to build a road-
map for setting up such an Exchange.
We are now pleased to see that SEBI has come out
with some guidelines on the subject, and we are plan-
ning for detailed discussions on this in a forthcoming
conference by the end of this month.
Our Council is strongly committed to encourage MSMEs
to convert their present business format to a Limited Li-
ability Partnership for which an Act of Parliament has al-
ready been enacted. We organised a meeting to discuss
the benefits of the LLP Act, 2008 where the participants
were familiarised with the law, followed by a very interest-
ing question and answer session. We would be happy to
assist members with any clarifications on this.
CII has been actively working for international coopera-
tion for the MSMEs and accordingly the CII India Global Sum-
mit on MSMEs 2009 was organised in November 2009 that
drew participants from 32 countries.
To highlight the bilateral opportunities for MSMEs, a
Roundtable Discussion on Fostering India-Canada Trade:
Role of SMEs was organised in January 2010, followed
by a CII SME delegation to the Czech Republic to explore
for JVs, transfer of technologies, etc. Earlier, an SME del-
TOP STORY Page 6
ANALYSIS Page 9
POLICY Page 11
FOCUS Page 13
MARKETING Page 15
INITIATIVE Page 16
STRATEGY Page 17
Plus
Small World Pg 3
Technology Pg19
International Pg20
Upcoming Events Pg22
egation also visited Slovakia with similar objectives. In
addition, a Conference on Financing SME Business and
Projects in Africa was organised in March this year to
build bilateral and multilateral partnerships with Africa in
the MSME domain. CII has also organised training pro-
grammes for MSME professionals and entrepreneurs with
partner organisations like AOTS Japan.
To take the Council's message to a wide audience, CII
launched this bi-monthly journal SME Business in November
2009, which has generated positive industry response. CII
also conducts the quarterly MSME Outlook Survey to assess
the emerging trends and challenges.
The current edition talks of the key developments taking
place in the MSME domain, with particular focus on the re-
port of the Working Group to review the Credit Guarantee
Scheme under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro
and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), role of ICT in MSMEs and
skills development initiatives. I would like to make a spe-
cial mention of the interview with Mr R. Bandyopadhyay,
Secretary, Ministry Corporate Affairs, Government of India,
which I am sure will be of key interest to you.
I must also mention that there is a definite lack of aware-
ness of the various Government programmes and schemes
for MSMEs. I strongly believe that entrepreneurs should
spend time to look at these schemes and take full advantage
from them. This will greatly add to their business growth.
I would therefore greatly welcome your suggestions as to
how we can popularise these schemes, as also to assist units
in case they are not able to obtain the benefits offered.
I also seek your continued participation in the content
development of SME Business and in the different activi-
ties of the CII National MSME Council.
Please write to me at Chairman.MSMECouncil@cii.in

MSME ministry plans survey
of SME pharma units
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Me-
dium Enterprises (MSME), Govern-
ment of India, will soon launch a comprehen-
sive survey of small scale drugs and pharma
units in the country to assess the impact the
amendment of the Drugs and Cosmetics
Act with regard to the Schedule M norms,
as suggested by the Parliamentary panel on
NSIC signs MoU with MSME
Ministry
National Small Industries Cor-
poration (NSIC) has signed
an Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Ministry of Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSME),
Government of India. The MoU for
the year 2010-11 was signed between
Mr Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME), Government of India and Mr
HP Kumar, CMD, NSIC. Under this MoU
Govt purchase from MSMEs to
touch Rs 160,000cr in FY11
Micro, Small and Medium Enterpris-
es (MSMEs) are in for a windfall, as
the government purchase from the sector
would touch almost Rs 160,000 crore dur-
ing 2010-11. At present, the government
purchase from MSME sector is around Rs
40,000 crore, of the estimated total pro-
curement of Rs 600,000-700,000 crore
annually, which is less than 7%. According
to the recommendation of the MSME Task
Force constituted by Prime Minister Man-
small world
subordinate legislation last year. The goal
of the survey is to collect information on
the total number of pharma units including
state-wise break-up, total number of Sched-
ule M compliant units, names of units with
full addresses which have been closed since
July 1, 2005 due to the non-compliance of
Schedule M norms, cases in which licenses
have been surrendered by the manufactur-
ers, and cases in which licenses have been
suspended or cancelled by the authorities
due to the non-compliance of revised norm.
It will also collect the names of units which
are partly compliant in respect of catego-
ries while license for other categories either
suspended or cancelled. The 181st report of
the Committee on Subordinate Legislation,
Rajya Sabha, had called for such a survey.
we will form a charter of targets and
achievements for the coming year,
said Mr Dinesh Rai, while adding that
NSIC will also play a vital role under
the Prime Minister's Task Force on
MSME, which is equally important,
like consortium formation to give ten-
ders, marketing intelligence, buyer
seller meet, to organise international
exhibitions in India, website develop-
ment and making of catalogue.
mohan Singh, the Centre will reserve 20%
for MSME manufactured items for procure-
ment by the government. Since the govern-
ment purchase is growing at an annual rate
of 10-15%, it is likely to reach Rs 800,000
crore next fiscal and 20% reservation
would mean Rs 160,000 crore. Union Fi-
nance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, in his
2010-11 Budget speech, had announced the
implementation of the recommendations
of the Task Force.
MSME ministry
seeks tax sops
for VCs, PEs
The Ministry of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSME), Gov-
ernment of India, wants the Finance Min-
istry to provide tax concessions to ven-
ture capitalists and private equity players,
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take up the issue (to provide tax breaks or
sops to these firms) with the Finance Min-
istry and the revenue department soon in
order to attract more funds to the sector
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said Mr Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry
SME Business
of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME), Government of India. He also
asked the venture capitalists and private
equity players to come out with clear cut
guidelines in terms of the incentives they
would like to get from the government.
3
Centre thrust
May 2010
on IPR to boost
MSMEs
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focus on developing the MSMEs
sector, the government is emphasising
on the use of intellectual property rights
(IPRs), which it believes will give the sector
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facturing Competitiveness Programme
(NMCP), is pegged to enhance the com-
petitiveness of the MSMEs sector, as also
encourage sustainable models for overall
development of such enterprises. Under
the new initiative it plans to provide as-
sistance for programmes creating aware-
ness or sensitising about the usage and
advantages of IPR, for pilot studies/proj-
ects, interactive seminars/workshops, for
providing specialised training, setting up
of intellectual property facilitation. Be-
sides, it will also provide assistance for
grant on patent registrations and interac-
tions with international agencies.
 small world
SMEs will broaden Indian
IT software market
SMEs will provide a growth impetus for the Indian
software market in the period 2010-14, accord-
ing to India Information Technology Report Q2 2010. It
said that despite the recent economic headwinds, the lo-
cal market is likely to grow strongly in 2010, with more
projects from key IT-spending verticals such as financial
services, telecoms and consumer goods. The report said
that in recent years, the SME market in India for hardware
deployment has grown and this has resulted in an increas-
ing opportunity in this segment for applications. More
demand for solutions and hardware now comes from sec-
ond- and third-tier cities. Industry reforms and privatisa-
tions, government regulations and new global competition
have encouraged SMEs to use more technology. Recently,
there has been an increased enthusiasm for hosted appli-
cations and software-as-a-service (SaaS), which improved
telecoms infrastructure makes more feasible.
May 2010
Stimulus for MSME
4
growth & development
In giving a written reply to a question in Lok
SME Business
Sabha, Mr Dinsha Patel, Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Micro, Small and Me-
dium Enterprises (MSMEs), stated that the global
economic slowdown adversely affected the export
market for Indian industry, including the MSMEs.
In particular, sectors such as textiles, leather,
gems and jewellery, auto components, etc., were
mainly affected. Keeping in view the impact of
global economic slowdown on MSMEs, the Govern-
ment, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Pub-
lic Sector Banks have taken several measures for
protecting and providing a stimulus to the MSMEs
which, include: (i) extending the loan limit under
Credit Guarantee Scheme from Rs 50 lakh to Rs1
crore with a guarantee cover of 50%; (ii) increas-
ing the guarantee cover under Credit Guarantee
Scheme from 80% to 85% for credit facility up to
Rs 5 lakh; (iii) an advisory to Central Public Sector
Enterprises to ensure prompt payment of bills of
MSMEs; (iv) interest subvention of 2% in pre- and
post-shipment export credit to SME sector; (v) re-
finance limit of Rs 7,000 crore to Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for incremental
on-lending to the MSE sector; (vi) grant of need-
based ad hoc working capital demand loans up to
20 per cent of the existing fund-based limits; and
(vii) reduction in interest rates for borrowing by
micro enterprises by 1 per cent and in respect of
SMEs by 0.5 per cent.
Govt aims to double
credit to MSMEs
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that
the government is committed to double the credit
flow to MSMEs within five years. "Timely availability of
credit to MSMEs is extremely important to meet their
growing needs and to help them keep their business life-
line vibrant and progressive," Mukherjee said at a recent
event. He said that the various measures announced in
the 2010-11 Budget will revive private investment and
put the economy back on the growth path of 9% per an-
num. "The Government of India has always considered the
MSMEs as an important pillar of economic growth and has
supported the sector with proactive and growth oriented
policies. It is an acknowledged fact that finance is a high-
ly effective tool for creating economic opportunity and
fighting poverty," the minister said.
SME publishers operat-
ing on thin margins
Publishing industry is a Rs 10,000 crore business
in India. Around 90,000 book titles get published
every year in India by more than 16,000 publishers.
The industry is split between organised and unorgan-
ised players with only 35-40% of the industry in the
organised sector. The top 15% publishing companies
produce hundreds of titles per year. Compared to this,
the SME publishers typically produce only 2-5 titles
per year on an average, all of them are in-house pub-
lications. For this reason, many of these publishing
houses are moving towards distribution where they
see relatively less cost and better margins.
Build US-India SME
cooperation: Donohue
Small, medium and large companies need to work in an
inter-dependable way to enhance growth between India
and the US, said, Mr Thomas Donohue, President, US Chamber of
Commerce during his visit to India in New Delhi. He was quoted
saying that "there has to be interdependence between small, me-
dium and large sized enterprises whether they are connected to
any segment of the economy such as technology, healthcare, ag-
riculture or transportation." Mr Donohue said that India-US has
to look for having potential relationships between the countries
and find out ways and means where large, small and medium
sized companies come together and collaborate in business deci-
sions. It is important to observe how they (SMEs) work together,
Donohue added.

Design Clinic Scheme
for MSMEs
Design Clinic Scheme for Design Expertise to MSMEs is a
unique and ambitious design intervention scheme finan-
cially supported by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
The scheme was launched on February 17, 2010. The main ob-
jective of the Scheme is to bring the MSME sector and design
expertise onto a common platform and to provide expert advice
and solutions on real time design problems, resulting in continu-
ous improvement and value addition for existing MSME products.
This model brings design exposure to the doorstep of industry
clusters for design improvement, evaluation and analysis, lead-
ing to long-term consultancy/design related intervention.
The Scheme has a total budget of Rs 73.58 crore, of which
Rs 49.08 crore will be made available as Government of India
assistance and the balance to be contributed by the beneficia-
ry MSMEs. The Scheme will help the MSME sector to avail the
benefit of design to move up the value chain through increas-
ing value and competitiveness of their products and services.
The Scheme will be carried out in three phases: (i) Design
Sensitisation Seminar (Rs 60,000: borne by Design Clinic); (ii)
Design Awareness Programme: 10-15 Day Design Audit and 3-4
Day Design Clinic Workshop (Up to Rs 4 lakh: 75% supported
by Design Clinic / 25% funded by MSME Association/ units); (iii)
Design Project: 3-18 Month Design Project (Rs 9-15 lakh: 60%
supported by Design Clinic, 40% funded by MSMEs).
The scheme targets to touch about 200 MSME clusters over
the next two and half years. The details of the scheme are
also available on MSME website: http://www.nid.edu/index.
php?option=com_content&view=article&id=238&Itemid=296.
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad will assist the
Ministry of MSME, Government of India, as a nodal agency for
implementing the scheme. For more details, contact: Ms Supri-
ya Pokharna, Project Officer, Regional Centre, Ahmedabad.
Small, medium units turn
more efficient: Ministry
The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector is becom-
ing more efficient in terms of production versus persons employed.
According to the Annual Report 2009-10 released by the Ministry of Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, the percent-
age rise in production in 2008-09 compared with the previous fiscal is dou-
ble the percentage rise in the number of persons employed. In 2008-09,
production in the MSME sector went up 11.4% to Rs 880,805 crore, while
the number of persons employed rose 5.2% to 659.35 lakh. In the same
fiscal, 12.37 lakh new enterprises were added to the sector. Mr Dinesh Rai,
Secretary, Ministry of MSMEs, Government of India, said, The higher pro-
duction versus employment is largely due to better utilisation of capacity
and the more efficient practices that are being used by the sector. Also, the
prices of finished goods have gone up.
small world
Collateral free loan
for MSMEs on the
anvil: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may soon in-
crease the limit of collateral free loan for MSMEs
from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, RBI Executive Director, Mr
SME Business
VK Sharma was quoted saying. "Recently the RBI has
appointed a working group to review this credit guar-
antee scheme for MSME and the group has given us
many recommendations. One is to increase the limit
of collateral free loan from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh,
he said adding that very soon the RBI will issue the
guidelines to the banks to implement this. The group 5
has submitted the report, now we will do the inspec-
tion," he added. Earlier in January 2009, the RBI asked
May 2010
the Indian banks not to ask for collateral security from
MSMEs for new loans up to Rs 5 lakh. As per the RBI
guidelines, banks are not supposed to insist on collat-
eral security from MSMEs for advances up to Rs 5 lakh.
However, the banks can take into account the viability
of their projects while granting new loans.
India seeks Finnish
collaboration in
MSME sector
Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Anand
Sharma invited the Finnish small indus-
tries to join hands with Indian MSMEs, citing that
collaboration in many areas has vast potential
for both sides. Mr Sharma said that areas of in-
frastructure, clean energy, bio-pharmaceuticals,
medical electronics, health and skill development
offer enormous potential and stated that the In-
dian MSME sector and Finnish small industries
should use each other's strengths to make India
a manufacturing hub for tech-rich industries. The
agreement between the two countries, which was
signed by Mr Sharma and Finnish Minister for For-
eign Trade and Development Mr Paavo Vayrnen in
Helsinki, will replace an earlier pact signed way
back in 1967 under the GATT regime.
 top story
ICT fuel for MSME
engines
SMEs need to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) more
as ICT eliminates poverty because of asymmetric information. And if you
eliminate asymmetric information, you reduce poverty — C K Prahalad
May 2010
6 new digital knowledge economy.
SME Business
T
he appropriate adoption
and utilisation of ICTs with-
in business processes and
operations of micro, small
and medium enterprises
(MSMEs), at the minimum, will signifi-
cantly strengthen national economies
and provide new opportunities for en-
hanced efficiency and integration and
flow of trade and commerce.
In an ever-changing and dynamic
world, the advent and adoption of In-
formation and Communication Tech-
nologies (ICTs) across the globe has
permanently altered the rules of the
game and expectations of the new
digital and inter-connected economies.
Traditional notions of trans-boundary
trade have in the past two decades
changed dramatically to acknowledge
and embrace, at times reluctantly, the
increasing number of financial trans-
actions and trade-related activities
that take place purely via the Internet
and technologically assisted tools.
SMEs Driver of Economic Growth
The role of ICTs in advancing the
growth of national economies through
enhanced efficiency and productivity,
and expanded market reach is both
undisputed and irreversible. It is within
this vein that adequate and strate-
gic attention has to be placed so that
these new opportunities provided by
ICTs are not purely limited and acces-
sible only by the larger corporations
within national economies. As numer-
ous reports have indicated, MSMEs
constitute almost 95% of enterprises
within most regions and directly serve
as both the backbone and driver of na-
tional economies.
However, poor adoption of ICTs and
low Internet penetration has been due
to numerous major constraints that
range from lack of skilled technical
capacities to issues related to inad-
equate connectivity and infrastructure.
In addition, a weak understanding of
the expectations and demands of the
new digital economies has also placed
many MSMEs in an unenviable position
of being unable to participate in the
ICT's role in MSMEs
As the global economy becomes in-
creasingly reliant on ICT to receive,
process, and send out information, the
small businesses in the country have
yet to reap these benefits evenly. This
is because obtaining such opportuni-
ties rests largely upon the ability of
MSMEs to engage in the regional and
global economic business networks
which, in turn, demand provision of a
prerequisite level of access to and use
of ICT.
Unless these prerequisites are in
place, these MSMEs are set to lose out
on opportunities to integrate into the
global supply chain, bid for outsourc-
ing businesses, and increase their in-
ternal productivity and efficiency.
MSMEs can benefit either as produc-
ers of ICT or as users of ICT for purposes
such as increased productivity, faster
communications and reaching new cli-
ents. However, it must be noted at the
outset that not all MSMEs need to adopt
ICT tools to the same degree of sophis-
tication. The most basic ICT tool is hav-
ing communication capabilities through
fixed lines or mobile phones, whichever
is more cost effective.SMEs may then
 top story

Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.

There is a plan for an ICT scheme with Government assistance of about Rs 1.2 billion that will enable
200 clusters all over the country to adopt ICT Tools. The primary objective will be to improve MSME
competitiveness.

use a personal computer (PC) with ba-
sic software for simple information pro-
cessing needs such as producing text or
keeping track of accounting items.
Internet access enables MSMEs to
have advanced communication capa-
bilities such as email, web browsing
and launching a website. MSMEs in
manufacturing can benefit from more
advanced ICT tools such as Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) or inventory
management.
digital form easily transmitted to any-
where around the world.
People who have access to this new
wave of ICT are part of an information
society connected to a virtual network
that constantly creates and dissemi-
nates new information. ICT has sped up
the pace of globalisation and increased
the complexity of business practices
because firms not only need to be fa-
miliar with their local context but also
with global developments.
to capture these emerging business
opportunities.
India, for example, offered relief
from import duties for IT hardware,
tax deductions for income earned from
software exports, and tax holidays, and
developed infrastructure in Software
Technology Parks. India's thriving ICT
sector has in turn propelled the coun-
try's economic growth. MSMEs outside
the ICT sector have also benefited by
adopting ICT in their own operations,

While ICT can benefit MSMEs in mul-
tiple ways, MSMEs have been slow
to adopt ICT as they face major con-
straints such as poor telecommunica-
tions infrastructure, limited ICT lit-
eracy, inability to integrate ICT into
business processes, high costs of ICT
equipment, and a poor understand-
ing of the dynamics of the knowledge
Thus, to compete in the knowledge
economy, the country needs a strong
ICT-literate skills base that can in-
novate and adapt quickly to change.
More value is placed on the knowledge
worker than ever before. Knowledge,
change and globalization are the driv-
ing forces of the new economy.
SME Business
enabling them to communicate quick-
ly, increase productivity, develop new
business opportunities, and connect to
global networks.
Given the benefits that ICT can bring
to MSMEs, most MSMEs in emerg-
ing economies still have been slow to 7
adopt it. Meanwhile, their counter-
parts in developed countries are us-

economy.
Countries in the world are mov-
ing from an industrial economy to a
knowledge economy in which econom-
ic growth is dependent on a country's
ability to create, accumulate and dis-
seminate knowledge. Computers and
the Internet catalyzed the growth of
the knowledge economy by enabling
people to codify knowledge into a
Knowledge-based MSMEs
The knowledge economy has impacted
MSMEs both positively and negative-
ly. On the positive side, because the
knowledge economy relies heavily on
ICT, it has led to the rapid growth of
ICT sectors. Many countries such as In-
dia, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan
have created enabling environments to
ensure that SMEs are well positioned
May 2010
ing advanced ITs. One cause of limited
adoption is the lack of dynamism be-
tween ICT firms and MSMEs outside
of the ICT sector. ICT firms have not
provided goods and services tailored
to MSMEs in the past because demand
from MSMEs has been low. However,
their demand is low in part because
ICT products available in the market
are too complex and expensive. The re-

CII Outlook Survey seeks tax sops to

MSMEs for investment in ICT
TConfederation of India Industry (CII) has sought tax
concessions for the micro, small and medium enterpris-
es (MSMEs) sector to encourage them for investing in
information and communication technology to enhance
competitiveness. The Government may consider accord-
ing 100 per cent depreciation, once in a block of three
financial years, for an annual investment in IT equip-
ment and software up to a limit of Rs 25 lakh to MSMEs,
CII MSME Outlook Survey said. It said tax concession on
investment in ICT to the sector, which contributes 40 per
cent to the country's manufacturing, would help it be-
come more competitive. Most of the survey respondents
said faster internal and external communication is the
main benefits of ICT use among the enterprises followed
by a better and enhanced relationship with customers
and partners. About 83 per cent respondents are using
ICT tools for finance and accounting, 75 per cent for HR
and administration functions, and 68 per cent for mar-
keting and sales. A large number of them are using ICT
tools for logistics operations as well, it said. The survey
is based on responses from a broad spectrum of indus-
try groups and activities of the sector.
 top story
sult is a vicious cycle of limited supply
and limited demand that ultimately ex-
cludes MSMEs from the benefits of ICT.
Impeding Factors
Other factors also contribute to the
limited supply and demand of ICT
for MSMEs. For instance, poor com-
munications infrastructure results
in limited access and higher costs.
Outdated equipment often result in
expensive charges and limited cover-
age, especially in rural areas. This dis-
courages MSMEs from adopting even
the basic ICT of fixed lines or mobile
phones. Most advanced ICT products
are designed for larger firms and
not MSMEs. ICT firms used to target
large enterprises because they had a
larger budget and were willing to pay
for more complex ICT services. Their
May 2010
ers are often at a loss when needing to
choose the most appropriate and cost-
efficient product.
Limited ICT literacy of employees in
MSMEs hinders ICT adoption. Even if
MSME owners have a strategic under-
standing of why they should adopt ICT,
their staff is often untrained. Training
costs both time and money resources
that MSMEs usually lack. Adopting ICT
is an adaptive challenge, not a techni-
cal challenge. Adopting ICT is a difficult
task for companies of all sizes, whether
they are in developed or developing
countries. In fact, a lot of management
literature focuses on the organizational
changes that firms must go through in
order to effectively adopt ICT because
they change the way firms do business.
While the changes may be beneficial in
the long run, they often hurt one de-
of the way businesses are conducted
will lose out to the increasing competi-
tion brought about by globalization. To
remove these constraints, the govern-
ment needs to do more than merely
improving ICT national policy and pro-
moting SMEs in the ICT sector. Instead,
the government should embed ICT com-
ponents into overall MSME policy in a
comprehensive and focused manner.
Conclusion
However, this does not mean that MSME
policy should be the same for all indus-
tries. MSMEs in different sectors use
ICT differently and will adopt them at
a different pace. Additionally, MSMEs
need help in translating the benefits of
ICT to their core business. The willing-
ness of MSMEs to integrate e-business
practices depends on how much it can

products are often too expensive and
too complex for MSME users. Howev-
er, competition in this market is mak-
ing firms both large and small turn
their attention towards the untapped
8 SME market.
Limited ICT literacy of MSME owners
hinders their ability to choose the ap-
SME Business
partment and strengthen another.
Lack of financing options limits
MSME ability to purchase ICT. Lack of
financing and appropriate technology
is clearly a major handicap to produc-
ers and exporters, and it inhibits de-
veloping countries from deriving full.
MSMEs may still be hesitant to engage
directly improve their core business and
how much the potential benefits out-
weigh the definite costs. For example,
a tour operator may be more likely to
purchase computers and Internet con-
nectivity in order to service its clients
than a grocery store owner will be will-
ing to convert its cash register system

propriate technology and understand
the concrete benefits it can bring to
their business. Many MSME owners are
unfamiliar with operating a computer,
are skeptical of the concrete benefits
to its core business, and have the ste-
reotype that ICT is only for larger com-
panies. Even if they have the will and
financial resources to integrate ICT
into their core business, MSME own-
in e-commerce due to undeveloped le-
gal policy for electronic payment and
security issues. In the end, the definite
costs of identifying the right goods
and/or service, finding staff to manage
it, taking the company up the learning
curve, and obtaining financial resourc-
es are not perceived to justify benefits.
MSMEs that have not adapted to the
faster pace and increasing complexity
into point-of-sale (POS) technology to
better manage inventory.
By recognising these differences
and focusing their efforts on removing
the constraints, the governments can
play an important role in encouraging
MSMEs to become more effective users
of ICT. This can have wider impact on
national economies since MSMEs are
the engines of economic growth

India ranked 43rd in most

networked economy list
India has been ranked 43rd most networked country in
the world, moving up nine places against last year, as per
the Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010. The
report, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and
business school INSEAD, ranks Sweden as numero uno net-
worked country, followed by Singapore, Denmark, Switzer-
land, US and Finland. China has moved up 11 spots to the
37th position. The Networked Readiness Index, featured in
the report, examines how prepared countries are to use
information and communication technologies (ICT) effec-
tively on three dimensions. The report covers 133 economies
worldwide, assessing the impact of ICT on the development
process and the competitiveness of nations. The success of
Sweden, Singapore and Denmark underlines the importance
of a joint ICT vision and its implementation by the differ-
ent stakeholders in a country to take full advantage of ICT
advances in daily life and overall competitiveness strategy.
This includes general business, regulatory and infrastructure
environment for ICT; the readiness of key stakeholders like
individuals, businesses and government to use and benefit
from ICT; and the actual usage of the latest information and
communication technologies available.

Big Boost For MSEs
The Working Group, set up to review the Credit Guarantee Scheme of the
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust has recommended doubling of the limit for
collateral-free loans to MSEs to Rs 10 lakh
I
n today's globalised economy, im-
provements in product, processes,
technology and organisational func-
tions such as design, logistics and
marketing have become key drivers
in delivering competitiveness, including
for micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
An increasingly globalised world, marked
by competition and innovation, is posing
newer and varied challenges to MSEs. Be-
cause of their small size, individual MSEs
are handicapped in achieving economies
of scale in procuring equipment, raw ma-
terials, finance and consulting services.
Often they are unable to identify potential
markets to take advantage of the oppor-
tunities, which require large volumes, con-
sistent quality, homogenous standards and
assured supply.
MSEs primarily rely on bank finance for
a variety of purposes including purchase
of land, building, plant and machinery,
and also for working capital and exports
receivables financing. Ensuring timely and
adequate flow of credit to MSEs has been
an overriding public policy objective, and
as a result, over the years there has been
a significant increase in credit extended to
analysis
this sector by banks. Besides, the Credit
Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small
Enterprises (CGTMSE) was set up by the
Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enter-
prises (MSME), Government of India, and
Small Industries Development Bank of In-
dia (SIDBI) in 2000 with a committed cor-
SME Business
pus of Rs 2,500 crore.
Despite various measures taken by the
Government of India and Reserve Bank of
India for facilitating the growth of the MSE
sector, many of them, particularly the first
generation entrepreneurs, find themselves
handicapped in accessing credit from the 9
banking system primarily for want of sec-
ondary collateral and third party guaran-
May 2010
tee. Banks generally insist on secondary
collateral, particularly in the form of im-
movable property, and also third party
guarantee in order to hedge against de-
fault in the small loan segment.
Availability of timely and adequate bank
credit without the hassles of collateral and
third party guarantees is the essence to
small first generation entrepreneurs to re-
alise their dream of setting up their own
firms. Realising this, the Reserve Bank of
India had directed banks not to take sec-
ondary collateral from MSE units with
credit limits upto Rs 5 lakh.
Good News
However, the Working Group, set up to re-
view the Credit Guarantee Scheme of the
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust has recom-
mended the mandatory doubling of the
limit for collateral-free loans to micro and
small enterprises (MSEs) to Rs 10 lakh from
the current Rs 5 lakh.
The Working Group was constituted un-
der the chairmanship of Mr V K Sharma,
Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India,
to review the working of the Credit Guar-
antee Scheme and suggest measures to
enhance the usage and facilitate increased
 analysis
May 2010
flow of collateral free loans to MSEs, make
10 suggestions to simplify the existing pro-
cedures and requirements for obtaining
cover and lodging guarantee claims under
SME Business
CGTMSE Scheme and examine the feasibil-
ity of a whole turnover guarantee for the
MSE. The setting up of the Working Group
was announced in the annual policy state-
ment for 2009-10.
According to the report of the Working
Group, the guarantee fee for collateral free
loans up to Rs 10 lakh to micro enterprises
is to be absorbed by the CGTMSE, subject
to the provision that the Trust is free to
adjust the guarantee fee both downwards
and upwards based on the modelling of
the dynamically evolving distribution of
claims. This will ensure that the CGTMSE
remains self-financing and self-sustaining
in the long-term.
The report says that the CGTMSE may
charge composite, all-in guarantee fee of
1% per annum and appropriately realign
downwards the guarantee fees chargeable
to women entrepreneurs, micro enterpris-
es and units located in North-Eastern Re-
gion including Sikkim. The Trust may also
annually review the guarantee fee to be
charged on the basis of the pricing model
suggested by the Working Group.
The Working Group has suggested that
the Government consider exempting both
guarantee fee and the income on invest-
ments of the Trust from Income Tax, as is
the practice internationally for such non-
profit credit guarantee organisations. Be-
sides, consistent with the recommendation
for enhancement of the collateral free loan
limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, a guar-
antee cover of up to 85% of the amount in
default is to be made applicable to credit
facilities to micro enterprises of up to Rs
10 lakh.
However, the extent of guarantee cover
for credit facilities above Rs 10 lakh and
up to Rs 50 lakh will be 75% and for credit
facilities in excess of Rs 50 lakh and up to
Rs 1 crore will be 75% upto Rs 50 lakh and
50% of the amount in excess of Rs 50 lakh,
as per the extant provisions of the scheme.
With an attempt to simplify the proce-
dure for filing claims in respect of small
loan accounts, initiation of legal proceed-
ings as a pre-condition for invoking of
guarantees is to be waived for credit of up
to Rs 50,000. At present, banks have to ini-
tiate legal action in all cases before filing
claim with the Guarantee Trust.
The Working Group says Member Lend-
ing Institutions (MLIs) of the Trust may be
allowed to invoke guarantee within a pe-
riod of two years from the date of classi-
fication of the account as NPA instead of
the present prescription of within one year.
The final claim is to be paid by the Trust to
the MLIs after three years of abstention of
decree of recovery instead of the present
procedure of releasing the final claim by
the Trust only after the decree of recovery
becomes time barred, i.e. 12 years after
obtaining decree.
In order to upscale the CGS, it is nec-
essary to create widespread awareness
about the key features and benefits of
the scheme. As the branch level func-
tionaries have a predilection to lend
against collaterals, the Working Group
recommends that the CEOs of banks as-
sume complete and total ownership in
the matter of strongly encouraging the
branch level functionaries to avail of
the CGS cover, including making perfor-
mance in this regard a criterion in the
evaluation of their field staff. Besides,
as the scheme is yet to gain accept-
ability by banks and it needs to attain
critical mass of traction, and stabilise,
the Working Group recommends that in-
troduction of Whole Turnover guarantee
can wait until later.
Indian Pivotal League
The critical role and place of the MSE sec-
tor in the Indian economy cannot be over-
emphasised in employment generation,
exports and economic empowerment of
a vast section of the population. As per
data released by the Ministry of Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME),
there are about 2.6 crore enterprises in
this sector. The sector accounts for 45 per
cent of manufactured output and 8 per
cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
MSMEs contributed close to 40 per cent of
all exports from the country and employed
nearly 6 crore people which is next only to
the agricultural sector.
Therefore, government policy has rightly
accorded high priority to this sector in or-
der to achieve balanced, sustainable, more
equitable and inclusive growth in the coun-
try. Advances extended to the MSE sector
are treated as priority sector advances
and as per the existing the Reserve Bank
of India guidelines, banks are required to
extend at least 60% of their advances to
the MSE sector.
So the implementation of the recom-
mendations of the Working Group would
result in enhanced usage of the Guarantee
Scheme and facilitate increase in quality
and quantity of credit to the MSE sector,
leading eventually to sustainable inclusive
growth of the pivotal sector in India.
 policy

Compliance For
Growth &
Sustainability
Mr R Bandyopadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government
of India, says in an interview with SME Business that regulatory compliance is
crucial for businesses to make their investors and stakeholders hold positive

SME Business
perceptions about the conduct of their business. Excerpts of the interview:

Therefore, a very small number of

these enterprises are companies.
As proprietorship and partnership 11
firms, the SMEs do have constraints
in obtaining institutional finance

Mr R. Bandyopadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India
A large number of micro,
small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) in India operate in
the unorganised sector. What
steps would you recommend to
bring these enterprises into the
organised sector?
Since Independence, micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) have
been perceived to be effective engines
of economic growth, job creation
and entrepreneurship development.
But a large number of MSMEs in
India operate in the unorganised
sector. Around 95% of the industrial
units in the country are SMEs out of
which 90% are proprietorship firms
and another 2-3% are partnerships.
May 2010
and facing unlimited liabilities of the
entrepreneurs.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs
has enacted the LLP Act which can
be used by these enterprises to
incorporate themselves as corporate
entities. This Act incentivises the
unincorporated entities to convert
into corporate form of business
in order to get the advantages of
limitation of liabilities, flexibility
of operation and relatively lower
compliance burden. The provision for
a one person company (OPC) under
the Companies Bill 2009 also provides
for an enabling environment for such
transition and would be surely utilised
by the MSMEs.
There are as yet no defined laws
pertaining to insolvency and
bankruptcy of MSMEs in India? Is
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
looking at these issues?
You are right. The existing insolvency
laws with respect to individual
insolvencies continue to govern small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) and
there is a need to address this issue
 policy
comprehensively. The Companies
Bill 2009 provides for a framework
of summary proceedings of winding
up of small companies which have
assets less than Rs 1.00 crore. This
framework incorporates a time-
bound process of winding up which
will be fair to the interests of all
the stakeholders. As more and more
MSMEs get reorganised as LLPs or the
proposed OPCs, the insolvency laws
pertaining to the companies and LLPs
would become applicable.
Although the Limited Liability
Partnership (LLP) Act 2008
is in place, only a fraction of
the MSMEs have registered
themselves as LLPs so far. What
steps are needed to encourage
a larger number of MSMEs to
May 2010
convert their enterprises into
LLPs?
The framework for conversion
of unincorporated entities to LLPs
has been provided in the Act itself.
12 The taxation issues pertaining to
conversion into LLPs have also been
resolved in this year's Finance Bill.
SME Business
With this enabling environment in
place, I am sure that more MSMEs will
start converting into LLPs.
Does the mandate of corporate
social responsibility extend to
the MSMEs?
Responsible business practices or
CSR is very important and there are
certain minimum expectations of the
stakeholders in this area from a small
or large enterprise. The expectations
of stakeholders are also contextual in
nature and depend on the enterprise's
size of operations. See, the CSR
Guidelines for the public sector
companies issued by the Department
of Public Enterprises refer to a
different expectations than what is
laid out in the voluntary guidelines
issued by the Ministry.
MSMEs also need to be sensitive
about the expectations of the
stakeholders, especially the workers
and the immediate communities
and make efforts to address these
expectations within the constraints of
their business models.
Are the existing corporate laws
helping the MSMEs to be more
environmental friendly?
Environmental protection is an
important governance issue before
us. Governments and business still
face unsolved problems in mitigating
negative environmental impact and
restructuring technological processes
to make them more environmentally-
friendly. The role of business in this
field is substantially growing. The
environmental laws, that are equally
applicable to the large and small
enterprises, lay down the minimum
standards that are required to be
observed. Respect for environment, is
also one of the main principles in the
voluntary guidelines released by the
Ministry.
Is corporate governance still far
fetched in the MSME domain?
Regulatory compliance is crucial for
businesses to make their investors
and stakeholders hold positive
perceptions about the conduct of their
business. Studies have shown that
good corporate governance practices
help companies to achieve sustainable
growth and help in enhancing the
organisational performance. We need
to appreciate that good corporate
governance practices are also the key
for the MSMEs to be able to grow in
size.
Will the geographical and
functional clustering of MSMEs
improve the overall governance
of these enterprises?
7RTXRWHWKHFOLFKXQLWHGZHVWDQG
will not be inappropriate in the case
of the MSMEs. Currently, due to size,
scale, specialisation and not least
regulatory and legal impediments,
SMEs lack the capacity to respond
adequately to emerging challenges
from international locations and
market opportunities. There have
been cases of very successful
demonstration of the benefits of
geographical and functional clustering
of MSMEs. Clustering, I believe,
can certainly improve the overall
governance and competitiveness of
these enterprises.

Skill Development
in Indian SMEs: A
Global Perspective
There is growing need for skills and training ecosystems that support MSME growth
T
he economic growth in In-
dia has picked up consider-
able momentum once again
with all sectors showing a
great deal of buoyancy.
However, the question of whether the
country can sustain the GDP growth is
yet to be answered with any degree of
finality.
IVision India@75 has outlined the
focus on skill development, which is
a challenging opportunity. How cor-
porate and government reciprocate in
facilitating this will be an interesting
case study in itself. SMEs play a huge
role in this and hence a dedicated fo-
cus needs to be brought in. SMEs are
an important component in regional
and national economies, and the proj-
ect aims to identify training and skills
development policies that promote
growth, job creation and innovation.
The SME sector is crucial to employ-
ment generation, decentralised de-
velopment and low cost products and
services. Most of the handicrafts, in-
cluding wooden handicrafts, wrought
iron crafts and other enterprises in-
focus
SME Business
volved in textile and garment, etc.,
fall within the SME sector. The impera-
tives are:
z National Rural Employment Guar-
antee Act (NREGA) would have to
be more effective so that the Indian
economy can incrementally move 13
away from the concept that agricul-
ture is the end of rural markets.
May 2010
z For making Indian infrastructure in-
vestment attractive, high cost of debt
to infrastructure should be addressed
in some form.
z Along with focus on power and
roads, adequate focus should also
be placed on transmission of power
and water management. Some kind
of short-term subsidy should also be
introduced.
z The concept of Special Economic
Zones (SEZ) should also be strength-
ened for handicrafts and other SMEs.
The Chamber of Small Industries
Association (COSIA) has said that the
facility of quarterly returns and avail-
ability of full credit on capital goods
proposed in the Union Budget 2010-11
for MSEs is a positive step.
Further, the government is likely
to come out with a policy in the next
two months to make it mandatory for
state-owned firms to buy at least 20%
of their total purchases from MSEs.
All these would lead to the need
for structured and focused research
on the SME sector. The Organisation
for Economic Cooperation and Devel-
opment (OECD) international project
 focus
focusing on the analysis of SMEs in a
selected territory, is a case in point.
This project is intended to inform
OECD policy advice on how govern-
ments can best support SMEs in their
skills development activities.
The project will involve interna-
tional comparison with regions from
countries such as New Zealand, Po-
land, Belgium and Turkey. The project
is designed to provide an understand-
ing of how the SME approach to skills
and training systems varies with each
region and as well as the best practice
approaches at both the firm level and
local skills ecosystem level.
There is particular interest in ex-
ploring the role of skills and training
ecosystems and whether the organi-
sational interactions within an eco-
system have an impact on workforce
May 2010
development, in SME participation in
training and skills development activi-
ties, and on increasing awareness of
SMEs to skills upgradation activities.
Similarly, 36 government officials
14 who are involved in SME and technical
and vocational education and training
(TVET) policies from across the Asia-
SME Business
Pacific region participated in the Re-
gional Workshop on SME Development
and Regional Economic Integration,
jointly organised by the Colombo Plan
Staff College for Technician Education
and the Asian Development Bank Insti-
tute (ADBI) at ADBI in Tokyo in 2008.
One notable trend observed in the
increasingly integrated Asia is the de-
velopment of a regional production
and distribution network, which rep-
resents a good opportunity for SMEs
to participate as suppliers of products
and/or services to and/or through this
network. Amid this trend, five sectors
that provide substantial opportunities
for SMEs were identified. These are
information technology (IT), tourism,
textiles, food processing, and auto
parts and components.
Within ASEAN, 12 priority sectors
were also identified to be fast-tracked
for integration. To take advantage of
these emerging business opportuni-
ties, SMEs need to acquire the capac-
ity, knowledge, technology and skills
that are essential for supplying qual-
ity products and services.
Vocational educational institutes
can effectively provide the needed
knowledge and skills to SMEs by fos-
tering closer linkages with the private
sector or industries which they are
serving so that the right skills can be
identified and supplied through well-
targeted and properly designed TVET
curricula. To further promote SME
development, entrepreneurship man-
agement also needs to be integrated
into vocational education.
Many Asian economies have
achieved substantial reduction in pov-
erty and creation of employment by
export-oriented development strate-
gies, focused on the US and European
markets in recent decades. Relatively
well-skilled labour forces have been a
key element of these strategies. But
the global jobs crisis, which the fi-
nancial crisis has provoked, will likely
result in skills losses as some of the
newly unemployed could lose contact
with the labour market and become
more permanently unemployed.
Looking ahead, the global financial
crisis has demonstrated that this export-
oriented growth model can no longer be
relied upon to sustain the region's eco-
nomic and employment growth as the US
consumer spending will remain sluggish
over many years to come.
Developing Asian economies now
need to adapt their development
strategies to this more difficult envi-
ronment and take up the challenge of
rebalancing growth towards greater
reliance on domestic and regional
demand. Such rebalancing will re-
quire job creation in new sectors and
adaptation of existing production
techniques and therefore new skills
development in these areas. A new
area-based, integrated approach will
be needed to develop a competitive
economy and an adequate skills base
simultaneously. Skills development
policies should also be a key compo-
nent in strengthening both industrial
and social resilience in the face of fu-
ture possible crisis and in nurturing
decent work for all.
The Initiative on Employment and
Skills Strategies in Southeast Asia
(ESSSA), jointly led by the OECD and
the ILO, deals with the following is-
sues relating to skills development:
(i) skills development to support re-
balancing growth; (ii) local integration
of employment, skills and economic
development; (iii) skills development
and the informal economy; (iv) skills
development for SMEs and micro-en-
terprises; (v) skills development and
green jobs; and (vi) building effective
local partnerships for skills develop-
ment.
Actionable points which were
outcome of this:
(i) For national governments and
stakeholders:
z Capacity building for staff on col-
lecting and analysing labour market
information (LMI)
z Support acquisition of office equip-
ment for generating labour market
information
z Conduct impact studies on what
workers and what does not work
z Coordinate ministries and public of-
fices at the national and local levels
z Improve the role of employment
services to ease the transition from
non-formal to formal.
(ii) For Local governments and
stakeholders:
z Improve the role of employment
services to ease the transition from
non-formal to formal.
z Create partnerships to integrate
data and information from different
administrative sources and also to
better carry out employment services
z Improve awareness of the roles and
benefits of employment services for
the local economy
z Analyse transformation of current
jobs to green jobs.
(iii) For International organisa-
tions:
z Support evaluation and LMI as inte-
gral parts of donor programmes
z Develop systematic approaches to
labour market intelligence (e.g., tech-
nical assistance towards common na-
tional indicators and local customisa-
tion)
z Organise and support forums on
employment services and LMI; ex-
change practices and knowledge shar-
ing; study tours.
Contributed by India Skills, a Manipal
Education--City & Guilds Initiative

Consortium Marketing for
SMEs: Exim Bank Approach
E
xim Bank of India has success-
fully implemented a number of
innovative programmes focus-
ing primarily on SMEs. The Bank
supports strategic export devel-
opment plans of companies by providing
term loans towards supply side upgradation
and financial support for their export mar-
keting activities. Through this programme,
Exim Bank of India seeks to help the Indian
companies in their efforts to penetrate and
retain their presence in overseas industri-
alised country markets.
The programme was initially supported
by the World Bank with Exim Bank as the
executing agency. Though the above pro-
gramme was intended for large as well as
SME companies, most of the beneficiaries
were SMEs from different sectors of indus-
try for their overseas marketing activities,
including acquiring quality certifications.
Based on the success achieved in the pro-
gramme, World Bank has sought Exim Bank's
support to share its experience with other
developing countries. In addition, Exim Bank
of India seeks to help Indian companies,
particularly in the SME sector, to establish
their products overseas and enter new mar-
kets by helping them in their export efforts
by proactively assisting in locating overseas
buyers/partners for their products/services.
The Bank's programme for support-
ing product/process certification aims to
enhance international competitiveness
of Indian companies, primarily SMEs,
through adherence to international qual-
ity systems and standards. Exim Bank of
India initiated a Clusters of Excellence
programme, jointly with NASSCOM in the
past, to assist small and medium sized
Indian software exporting companies in
achieving international quality standards.
The programme aimed at assisting SME
software companies to achieve the SEI-
CMM certification, enhancing their capa-
bility and acceptance, and creating the
potential for larger exports to USA and
other developed country markets.
Exim Bank of India has also launched the
Grassroots Business Initiative (GBI) to create
marketing
export capabilities in rural and grass-root
enterprises, and thereby enhancing pur-
chasing power at the bottom of the pyramid.
GBI aims to create an enabling environment
for rural grassroots enterprises to explore
newer geographies, leveraging effectively
upon Exim Bank's extensive institutional and
trade promotion linkages.
Exim Bank of India also organises fo-
cused seminars, workshops and training
programmes covering various aspects re-
lated to international trade and investment
with the help of experts including interna-
tional faculty. These programmes seek to
increase awareness amongst SMEs, assist
them in various facets related to upgrada-
tion and move up the value chain, and make
them internationally competitive. Exim Bank
of India has also brought out a publication
on Business Practices of Successful Indian
Exporters, outlining the internationalistion
strategies adopted by Indian firms includ-
ing SMEs, facilitating transfer of successful
experiences.
Case: Exim Bank Support to Machine
Tools Industry
Exim Bank identified Indian machine tools
sector a sub-segment of Indian capital goods
industry which has a strong multiplier effect,
and brought out a study identifying appro-
priate strategies to strengthen this sector
and thereby help contribute to the growth
of Indian manufacturing sector. One such
recommendation made by the study was
that the Indian Machine Tools Manufactur-
ers Association (IMTMA) may adopt a cluster
approach, seeking institutional support to
help the member-firms in overcoming the
weaknesses by adopting best practices in
the industry across the globe.
Subsequently, a National Programme
for Development of Indian Machine Tool
Industry (NPDMI) was launched as a co-
operative effort of Government of India,
IMTMA, UNIDO and Exim Bank. Exim Bank
was represented on the Committee. Under
this programme, a range of activities was
undertaken to update the manufacturing
and management practices of the players
in Indian machine tools sector. Evaluation
of machine tool technology and market
trends in USA and Europe was undertaken
through technology surveys and partici-
pation in international exhibitions. Learn-
ings through such activities were supple-
mented with showcasing the capabilities
of Indian machine tools manufacturers in
India. To bridge the technology gap, espe-
cially in the small and medium segment,
a series of advanced machine tool design
courses were organized at International
SME Business
Centre for Advancement of Manufacturing
Technology (ICAMT), Bangalore.
As a result of range of such activities, the
production and export of Indian machine
tools sector have gone up over the years.
Made in India label of Indian machine tools
sector has gained international reputation 15
making the sector more competitive in do-
mestic as well as international markets. UNI-
May 2010
DO declared this initiative as a success story.
Exim Bank has been closely associated
with the export efforts of Indian machine
tools sector. The Bank, under its export facil-
itation programme, has supported the initia-
tive of IMTMA in setting up of the Bangalore
International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), for
consortium marketing.
Lines of Credit
A significant financing programme of
Exim Bank is Lines of Credit (LOCs) ex-
tends to overseas financial institutions,
regional development banks, sovereign
governments and other entities overseas,
to enable buyers in those countries to im-
port goods and services from India on de-
ferred credit terms. The Indian exporters
can obtain payment of eligible value from
Exim Bank, without recourse to them,
against negotiation of shipping docu-
ments. LOC is a financing mechanism that
provides a safe mode of non-recourse fi-
nancing option to Indian exporters, espe-
cially to SMEs, and serves as an effective
market entry tool. At present, Exim Bank
has in place 137 Lines of Credit, covering
over 95 countries with credit commit-
ments of over US$ 4.5bn.
 initiative
Promoting Green Entrepreneurs
New Ventures India catalyses the development of sustainable enterprises by
accelerating the transfer of private investment towards green SMEs that generate
economic, environmental and social benefits.
May 2010
16
About New Ventures India
New Ventures India (NVI) is a center of sus-
SME Business
tainable entrepreneurship, specially de-
signed to meet the needs of Indian green
entrepreneurs and help them overcome
common business challenges to deliver en-
vironmental and social benefits as well as
economic development and opportunity.
NVI is a joint initiative of the CII-Sohrabji
Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad
and the World Resources Institute, Washing-
ton DC. This initiative is supported by USAID
under the Global Development Alliance
mechanism and British High Commission un-
der the Strategic Program Fund.
NVI catalyzes the development of sustain-
able enterprises by accelerating the transfer
of private investment towards green SMEs
that generate economic, environmental and
social benefits.
NVI is a part of the global New Ventures
(NV) network which has been working in the
field of promoting green businesses for a de-
cade now in some of the most vibrant emerg-
ing economies, namely, Brazil, China, Colom-
bia, India, Indonesia and Mexico and a global
hub housed at the World Resources Institute
in Washington DC.
New Ventures India delivers:
z Stronger sustainable businesses: NVI
provides mentoring and technical assis-
tance to entrepreneurs through an ex-
tensive network of business consultants,
technical experts and investors. Mentors
help companies prepare sound business
and financial plans and target appropriate
markets. New Ventures also offers general
business workshops to prospective New
Ventures companies and start-ups.
z Linkages to investors and markets: NVI
connects entrepreneurs with potential inves-
tors through Investor Forums and other tar-
geted investor events.
z Access to the New Ventures network:
Companies in India will be able to benefit
from the broader CII Network and New Ven-
tures global network with sister programs in
Mexico, Brazil, China, Colombia and Indone-
sia, and leverage resources from the Global
office in Washington DC.
New Ventures supports small and medi-
um-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in
fast-growth, green sectors such as:
z Renewable Energy
z Energy Efficiency
z Advanced Technologies for Water Manage-
ment
z Organic Agriculture/ Horticulture
z Other Clean Technologies
z Green Building Materials
z Rapidly Renewable Materials
z Waste Management, Recycle & Reuse
z Ecotourism.
A select group of finalists receive pro-bono
consulting through NVI mentors network. En-
trepreneurs are then invited to present their
business plans at NVI flagship annual global
deal facilitation platform called Investor Fo-
rum. They remain engaged with NVI even af-
ter the Investor Forum to further strengthen
their businesses. NVI organizes regular train-
ing programmes and sector based work-
shops towards development of an enabling
eco system for sustainable enterprises.
Major NVI Events
z Investor Forum: One of the goals of the
intensive mentoring provided to the selected
entrepreneurs is to prepare them to effec-
tively present their business plans to inves-
tors and solicit investments. Investor Forum
is an annual flagship event of NVI. The short-
listed NVI enterprises get a chance to pres-
ent their business plans to a select audience
and a panel of judges comprising of top busi-
ness executives and investors. The event also
features a series of panels and discussions
to help educate the investment community
about global market trends in environmental
sectors and sustainable investment.
z Road Shows: Road Shows and mentoring
workshops are organised at regular intervals
through the year to create awareness about
the activities of New Ventures India and in-
vite companies whose products and services
have strong environmental benefits to sub-
mit their business plans. These events also
provide an opportunity for the participating
companies to interact with successful NVI
portfolio companies as well as other mem-
bers of the New Ventures India ecosystem.
Accomplishment
As on date, NVI has showcased 40 enterprises
at the Investor Forums and facilitated invest-
ments to the tune of Rs 111.33 crore ($28.27
million) into 14 of these companies.
For more information, please email:
hemant.nitturkar@cii.in

Cluster For Competitiveness
CII - Cluster for Competitiveness programme has successfully established clusters
at various locations across the country. By Dr Sarita Nagpal
C
II - Cluster for Competitiveness
programme aims at strengthen-
ing Indian SMEs and component
suppliers to meet the require-
ments of global competitive-
ness with the fast changing environment.
The approach is simple wherein a group of
10-12 SMEs develop together with a learning
through sharing attitude. The clusters are of-
ten sectoral, locational and quite often driven
by an original equipment manufacturer or
Tier 1 customer for their vendors. The cluster
approach aims at improving competitiveness
in an associated group rather than in discreet
companies. One obvious factor driving this
process is cost as that too gets shared.
From a humble beginning of the first CII Clus-
ter which started with 20 suppliers of Maruti
by Prof Y Tsuda in 1998, the cluster movement
got momentum during 1998-2004 where
the SMEs in India adopted these methods
through an integrated approach for becom-
ing more efficient. Productivity, quality, cost,
delivery performance, safety and employee
involvement started to get tracked and bench-
marked against the best in class.
Geographical reach of the Cluster Programme across the country
Since 2004, CII has proclaimed the need
for a new type of management which is
based on innovation and breakthrough rest-
ing on a foundation of Total Quality Manage-
ment. This is the need of the hour as indus-
try requires to improve competitiveness on
other parameters which gives them the edge
to go beyond labour arbitrage.
Current Scenario
The programme not only covers manufactur-
ing sector but also in the sector of Tea gar-
dens in East and school clusters in South. In
all, CII and its strategic partners have formed
170 clusters all over the country impacting
1,889 SMEs. CII Cluster programme is primar-
ily delivered from the CII L M Thapar Centre
for Competitiveness for SMEs which has suc-
cessfully established such clusters at various
locations across the country.
Road Ahead
Introducing New Product Development
(NPD): Computer aided technologies namely
PLM, CFD, CAD, RP and CAE are powerful and
flexible tools for new product design and
strategy
development and aid quick problem solving
more accurately by integrating analytical and
simulation techniques. To give insights into
the potential of the tool and its application for
developing future products, CII L M Thapar
Centre for Competitiveness for SMEs propos-
es to introduce a new and innovative service
namely New Product Development for SMEs
in Cluster Program. The objectives are:
z Dissemination of best practices in SMEs
z Nurturing a culture of innovation
SME Business
z Thematic conferences / workshops
z Partnering with academia / research
organisations
z Leveraging global partnerships and best
practices
z Leveraging governments & media
HR initiatives in cluster companies: The key 17
to ensure sustainable quality upgradation and
continuous improvement in an organization
May 2010
is the willingness of its employees to adapt to
changing paradigms. The teams of core pro-
fessionals from this Centre follow the broad
pattern of steps periodically in assisting cluster
members to promote a healthy work environ-
ment and attain highest level of productivity
of their employees by streamlining their func-
tionality. Involvement of the cluster member
companies is in the form of activities to de-
velop organisation structure, roles-responsi-
bilities, HR system and in-house training.
Corrosion Management Upcoming Initiative:
The impact of corrosion on nation's exchequer is
a staggering figure of Rs 2 lakh crore. These ex-
penses can be brought down to half if the good
practices are followed to prevent and control the
corrosion. This offers a big opportunity to save
cost and also enhance the life of products, plant
& machinery, and civil structures. CII L M Thapar
Centre for Competitiveness has taken up several
initiatives to raise awareness about corrosion
and corrosion control among various industries
and to share the knowledge and expertise avail-
able within the country. The centre is helping
companies to reduce the corrosion losses by
carrying out audits, training programmes, semi-
nars, conferences and publications.
Visionary SME programme: Since 2006 CII
has worked with Prof. Shoji Shiba to bring
 strategy
Sector-wise break up Savings reported by the companies through cluster programme in a year

Sectors Clusters Companies Clusters in 2008 Kaizens Savings in Rs

Food Processing 15 69 L M W Cluster Coimbatore 320 2.1 Crores
Leather 1 10 Munjal Showa Faridabad 3200 0.68 Crores
Automobile 80 698 Munjal Showa Gurgaon 2001 1.12 Crores
Petroleum & Petro Ludhiana Bicycle Cluster 1000 4.85 Crores
2 80
Products Jalandhar Hand Tool Cluster 3680 12.83 Crores
Chemical & Chem. Vadodara Open Cluster 704 1.97 Crores
1 78
Products
Clusters in 2009 Kaizens Savings in Rs
Heavy Engineering 4 17
Heterogeneous Open Cluster 600 3 crore
Electrical /
6 37 Avon Cycles Advance Cluster 1573 1.82 crore
Electronics
Light Engineering 39 295 Hero Cycle Vendor Cluster I 300 0.87 crore
Bicycle 7 48 Jaipur Open Cluster 959 1.25 crore
Education 9 74 Escorts Cluster 900 1.76 crore
Technology 3 43 Bosch Vendor Cluster 2500 11 crore
Foundry 3 440 Leather Cluster 15,450 50 crore
May 2010

Breakthrough Management into Indian in-
dustry under what is termed as the visionary
leaders for manufacturing programme with
the objective of building and strengthening
18 the manufacturing industry in India. This
SME Business
programme has a special component focus-
ing on SMEs, termed as the Visionary SME
programme. This programme aims to create
high growth SMEs who aim to create unique-
ness in their business strategy for achieving
breakthrough targets. This programme is
kicked off in Western Region with partici-
pants from 26 companies. The programme
would shortly be available for more compa-
nies to participate.

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII

CII - Cluster approach is a unique opportunity for SMEs to enhance their competitiveness by improving their quality,
reliability and delivery. This initiative is path-breaking in building competitiveness in areas of efficiency and rapidly
gained momentum. The spread of this cluster programme cuts across industry sectors and spread all over the country
with formation of 152 clusters impacting more than 1,200 SMEs. I wish the participating SMEs who have joined this
programme all success.

Mr Gautam Thapar, Chairman, Avantha Group & Chairman,

CII - L M Thapar Centre for Competitiveness for SMEs
Knowledge is to be shared. At the CII - L M Thapar Centre for Competitiveness, we have acknowledged the potential of
knowledge sharing. Using the Cluster Approach we will share knowledge of globally competitive SMEs. Today, we are
at a juncture where we have to compete on a global platform and such knowledge sharing will be invaluable. This will
help us emerge stronger and gain a wider knowledge pool in collaboration with each other to evolve as true leaders.

Ms. Vanitha Mohan, CEO, Libra Industries, Coimbatore

The efforts of CII to bring about improvements in the shop floor under the cluster programme are indeed laudable. We,
at Libra, were able to look at areas which invariably get swept under the carpet due to work pressure but which truly
add value to the final product in a large measure. The most beneficial were the problem solving and quality improve-
ment techniques. Kudos to the CII team!

Mr DP Solanki, CEO, Econics High Tech Components

We are very much thankful to CII for providing services of Mr Amit Sanghvi during Vadodara advance Cluster 09-10.
Looking to the evidence of result, approach has become more effective due to the open interaction and knowledge
shared among the cluster members. The direction provided by CII through cluster approach has brought in similar
thinking with our vendors and has a solid platform for improvement culture. Regarding benefit, we are already sharing
during the MRM.

Technology for SMEs
Information Technology: SME’s Strategic Competitive Advantage By Ravi Raman
R
esearch has shown that SMEs
play an important role in the
economic development of
countries worldwide. However,
for SMEs to compete with large
competitors, they must nullify their size
disadvantage. Adopting technology to over-
come diseconomies of scale and to produce
innovations will surely enable SMEs to dif-
ferentiate themselves. In the current en-
vironment, technology is proving to be a
strategic weapon to beat competition. Com-
panies that adopt technology early in the
life cycle will be well placed to impress their
customers and show that they are differ-
ent as compared to their competition. For
example, Religare Technologies works with
a project management company in the con-
struction industry. This is a small company
that has invested in a portal to provide the
latest status of the projects that they man-
age. Customers of this company, who are
the builders, login to this portal to get a con-
tinuous update on the status of their proj-
ect, budgeted vs actual costs, and resource
utilisation graphs. The builders are very
happy with this platform of the PMC and
consider working with the PMC to be trans-
parent and easy. The investment needed to
technology
develop the portal was very small, but the
strategic benefit this investment has given
the company is extremely high.
Technology Partners: Overcoming
Barriers
Many times SMEs' are limited by non-
availability of resources and the rela-
tive inability to absorb the costs and
risks associated with in-house technol-
ogy development. However, considering
WKDW WKH 60(V DELOLW\ WR LQQRYDWH KDV
an impact on its ability to survive in the
long run, it is important to identify the
primary obstacles faced with regard to
new technology development and acqui-
sition. Many companies overcome this
by utilising the services of a technology
partner to guide the company on adapt-
ing and using technology. Technology
partners can help SMEs make informed
decisions. Care should be taken by the
SMEs to identify a partner who is an
independent service provider and does
not have vested interests in a particular
technology, platform, or solution. Being
one such independent service provider,
Religare Technologies has provided such
consultation to a number of customers.
Cost Effective: Open Source Tech-
nology
There is a feeling among SMEs that adopt-
ing technology is costly and capital inten-
sive. Often this deters the SMEs, believing
the investments are very high and pro-
hibitive. This is not entirely true. One of the
ways the SMEs can manage this is by using
open source tools and technologies that are
freely available. For example, enterprise
class web applications can be developed on
SME Business
Java/PHP/PERL, on the GNU Linux platform,
using JBOSS application server, and MySQL
database, all free. The entire office can be
set up on OpenOffice, a free open source Of-
fice Suite. Almost in any category, free open
source tools are available which an SME can
use to lower costs but still be able to have 19
an information technology platform to gain
that strategic advantage. Religare Technol-
May 2010
ogies has implemented such open source
projects for many SMEs successfully.
Reducing Capital Investment: Cloud
Computing
60(V FDQ ORRN DW SD\ DV \RX XVH PRGHO
being offered by many service providers as
part of the Cloud Computing paradigm. This
reduces the upfront investment for SMEs.
It also enables the SMEs pay based on the
usage. This model is increasingly becom-
ing popular. For example, Religare offers its
Broking Solutions and Hospital Information
Systems on a SaaS model. Such platforms
can be used by Capital Market companies and
Hospitals to reduce the initial investments.
Technology: A Strategic Investment
In conclusion, in the current day envi-
ronment, it is critical that SMEs look at
adopting technology to gain competitive
advantage. Cost effective mechanisms are
available which the SMEs can consider to
make the technology journey less strenu-
ous on budgets. Also, SMEs should work
with Technology Partners to make this
journey smooth and effective.
Ravi Raman, Head BFSI,
Religare Technologies
 international
Indian SMEs Find
Czech Mates
SMEs will be the anchor for promotion of bilateral trade between India and
Czech Republic.
May 2010
20
SME Business
H
istorically, the small and me-
dium-scale (SME) sector has
played a pivotal role in the
Czech Republic's economy. In
the pre-World War II period,
SMEs were a vital part of the economy. How-
ever, during the War and the first few years of
socialist rule, the SME sector was slowly taken
over by the state, as Marxist dogma was im-
posed on all aspects of the economy. By 1964,
the sector had all but disappeared after com-
munist orthodoxy was rigorously imposed.
Following the Velvet Revolution of 1989, once
under the communist regime, the Czech Re-
public has made a gradual transition from a
centrally planned economy to an open market
economy. With the reestablishment of a mar-
ket economy, the SME sector again regained
its importance in the country's economy.
After becoming a member of EU the Euro-
pean Union (EU) in 2004, the Czech govern-
ment has laid emphasis on restructuring its
economy to increase GDP growth. The acces-
sion to EU has offered many opportunities for
SMEs including easier access to foreign mar-
kets within and outside the European commu-
nity. As a result, foreign investments have also
increased at a phenomenal pace. Despite the
relative ease of entering other EU member
markets, SME, however, had to face strategic
marketing-related challenges include the de-
gree of variability that the SME has to manage
in terms of its product and other elements of
the marketing mix.
However, the Czech Republic has emerged
as a lucrative destination for trade and invest-
ment for various reasons. Low labour costs,
geographical position and business-friendly
environment are some of the factors pushing
the growth of its economy. Significantly, the
country recorded a decent GDP growth, which
has led many market experts to forecast steady
growth in the Czech economy in the near term.
According to EU Commission report, there
are approximately 86 SMEs per 1,000 in-
habitants in the Czech Republic, which is the
very highest entrepreneurship rate among
all EU member states (the EU average is 40,
less than half of the Czech figure). Compared
to the rest of the EU the proportion of SMEs
(as compared to all enterprises) is exactly
the same, although the internal size-class
distribution shows that the Czech SME sec-
tor is skewed towards the micro enterprises.
In terms of SME employment, Czech SMEs
contribute slightly more than the EU-average,
but on the other hand the figure is reversed in
terms of value added.
Indo-Czech trade relations
Trade ties between India and the Czech Re-
public have remained stable. In recent times,
both countries have pursued an active role in
 international

Mr Jan Kreuter, Chargé d`affaires, Embassy of the Czech Republic

In spite of the global financial crisis last year the mutual Czech-Indian trade turnover remained over $1 billion. The
core of Czech exports to India comprised machine tools, automotive and power industry for the past few years. Now
we want to focus on the medium and small companies to increase their share in the bilateral trade. The Czech-India
Technology Days is one of the promotional events to achieve this aim and to facilitate one-to-one interaction between
Czech and Indian small and medium enterprises.

boosting bilateral trade relations. As a result,
bilateral trade between India and the Czech
Republic crossed $1 billion in 2008. India's ex-
port basket to the Czech Republic comprises
commodities such as organic chemicals,
steel and iron pipes, electrical equipment,
vegetable oils and textiles. Alternatively, the
Czech Republic exports glassware and ce-
ramic products, mechanical appliances, fur-
niture and machine tools to India.
The Czech Republic has realised the po-
tential of harnessing opportunities that ex-
country during 12-14 January 2010, had said
the enterprise-to-enterprise cooperation will
be the backbone of the India Czech Republic
bilateral trade relation.
During the course of the interaction with
Czech Republic's Deputy Minister for Industry
and Trade Milan Hovorka, CII-SME delegation
had discussed several issues with particular
emphasis on SMEs, which include increase
trade and investment between the countries
and pave way for strategic business alliances.
The delegation had also interacted with
countries. Frequent contacts in science and
technology field lead to unifying of technical
standards between countries which leads to
an easier and smoother business exchange.
As a follow-up to this, the Czech-India
Technology Partnership Days is being or-
ganised in Delhi on 11 and 12 May, 2010. The
event is co-organized by the Embassy of the
Czech Republic in India, the Czech invest-
ment and the business development agency
Czech Invest together with the Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII). The Czech delegation

ist in mutual trade and cooperation. It has,
therefore, invited Indian companies to invest
in sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, elec-
tronic engineering and chemicals.
Indian SMEs are exploring trade opportu-
nities in the Czech IT segment. Some of the
leading Indian IT companies have set up facil-
ities in Brno. Small-sized IT players have also
tapped the potential of the Czech IT industry,
Czech Economic Chamber, Czech Invest,
Czech Technical University, Association of
Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and
Crafts of Czech Republic. A number of Indian
entrepreneurs from different industrial sec-
tors, who were the part of the delegation,
had discussed with their counterpart organi-
sations from the Czech Republic, issues like
how to market their products and explore
SME Business
will be headed by Mr Lubos Vanek, and it will
consist of 15 Czech companies (mainly small
and medium enterprises) and delegates from
the academic sector. The conference is sup-
ported by the Indian Ministry of Science and
Technology and the Ministry of Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSME). 21
The conclave aims on both science-re-
search and business cooperation specifically

which offers a highly skilled human resource
at low cost. With the Czech government of-
fering tax incentives and land at low costs to
Indian SMEs, the latter is capitalising on the
emerging opportunities.
Mr Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Mi-
cro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME),
Government of India, has been quoted say-
ing small and medium enterprises will be
the anchor for promotion of bilateral trade
between India and Czech Republic. Mr Rai,
who led a Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII)-SME delegation to the central European
opportunities for joint ventures, collabora-
tions and technology transfers.
India Technology Days
During the visit of the CII-SME delegation
both sides emphasised the meaning of SMEs
enterprises for the economy of their coun-
tries and they found out that SMEs in both
countries face very similar problems. Both
sides also agreed that the Czech Technol-
ogy Days are very beneficial by opening new
fields of future cooperation for the business-
men as well as academic institutions of both
May 2010
between SMEs. The Czech side has identi-
fied the significant role of the cooperation in
the science and technology field in the last
years excellent business relations. Despite
the global financial crisis in 2009, the mutual
trade exchange succeeded to cross the mark
of $1 billion once again.
The target sectors of the Czech-Indian
SMEs trade are biotechnology, chemical and
pharmaceutical industry, green technolo-
gies (energy, water management), robotics,
AI (artificial intelligence), nanotechnologies
and food technology. The target priorities in
the research are molecular biology and bio-
technology, energy resources and material
research. The Czech companies are open to
different kind of cooperation including the
technology transfers.
The event is the first of its kind step to
build a tradition of SMEs cooperation of both
countries, to share new technology develop-
ment and to boost the mutual trade between
the SMEs, which have been playing such a
significant role in the Czech Republic as well
as in India. The Czech-India Technology Part-
nership Days will have a significant beneficial
impact on the mutual trade and the further
science and technology development in both
our countries.
 international/upcoming events
Soweto looks to India for
MSME learnings
S
oweto, known for its strong
resistance to the apartheid
regime in the years gone by,
is looking to build the small
and medium enterprises
(SMEs) in the area to arrest the flight
of capital to the more prosperous and
commercially advanced parts of South
Africa. The urban area, which is part of
the city of Johannesburg in the Gauteng
province, has a relatively high incidence
of poverty. Mr Thami Mazwai, Director,
Centre for Small Business Development
(CSBD), Soweto Campus of the Uni-
May 2010
versity of Johannesburg, believes that
providing spurs to SMEs in Soweto will
facilitate job creation and address the
poverty issues.
In an interactive session with CII
22 members in New Delhi on April 23, Mr
Mazwai said that he travelled to India
and met with Indian SME entrepreneurs
SME Business
and officials of National Small Indus-
tries Corporation (NSIC) to obtain a first
hand account of MSME development in
the country, which he said would be of
essence to similar initiatives in Soweto.
He also said that the learnings from his
visit will be infused into the curriculum
of CSBD.
Details of SME focussed Projects /
Events / Meetings / Interactions / Training
Programmes (April - June 2010)
CII MSME Central Office
Title/Theme
Conference on SME Exchange
Supplier Development cum Sourcing Meet
Conference on ICT usage for MSMEs
Conference on Finance Availability for MSMEs
India Global Summit on MSMEs
Contact: Pooja Jha; Email: pooja.jha@cii.in
Mr Mazwai informed that a global
SME conference is being planned in
Soweto in March 2011 and SME leader-
ship from different parts of the world
will be invited to share their growth
experiences, with particular focus on
small scale manufacturing. He said that
Dr Thami Mazwai, Director, Centre for Small Business
Development (CSBD), Soweto Campus of the
University of Johannesburg at CII, New Delhi
Date
25 May
June
July
August
July
CSBD would also hold workshops on
SME incubation.
Mr Mazwai said that cross-flow of SME
development experiences have helped
the Soweto entrepreneurs in building an
understanding that the problems they
face in business are not unique to them.
And, that solutions are available to the
problems that they encounter in building
their manufacturing businesses.
Underscoring the urgency for col-
laboration with Soweto SMEs, he said
that the area holds promise in light en-
gineering, tourism, textile dying, hospi-
tality, furniture making, restaurant and
food chains, etc. He added that automo-
tive sector will receive special attention
in the coming times.
Mr Mazwai welcomed suggestions
from CII members for holding training
the trainers programmes in Soweto,
especially if managed by CII Centres of
Excellence like LM Thapar Centre for
Competitiveness. He also agreed that
ICT should be leveraged for cross-bor-
der SME knowledge sharing, especially
since the Pan Africa eNetwork (PAN)
project has met with great success in
the realms of telemedicine and distance
learning.
Venue
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
 upcoming events

CII Northern Region

Title/Theme Date Venue

CII - BEE workshop on Energy Efficiency for Textile sector 25 June Ludhiana

Workshop on Employee Motivation and Daily

June Jammu
Work Management

Workshop on EHS Legal Requirements 25 May Ludhiana

Conference on Horticulture / Fruit Growers June Shimla

Enhancing Competitiveness Through Energy Efficiency June Parwanoo

Interactive Session with Swiss Ambassador 21 May Jaipur

Training Programme on Energy May Kota

SME Business
Training Programme on Quality June Ajmer

Quality Mission June / July Gurgaon

Workshop on Enhancing Competitiveness Through Energy Ef-

June Pali
ficiency

Contact: z Vinay Sharma; Email: Vinay.sharma@cii.in z Col R S Parmar; Email: r.s.parmar@cii.in z Vinod Dhiman; Email: Vinod.dhiman@cii.in 23
z Bhuvnesh Sharma; Email: bhuvnesh.sharma@cii.in z Rahul Maheshwari; Email: rahul.maheshwari@cii.in z Praveen Dewal; Email: praveen.dewal@cii.in

May 2010
CII - L M Thapar Centre for Competitiveness for SMEs

Title/Theme Date Venue

Certification Programme on Paints & Powder Coatings 19-21 May Pune

Quality Circle 21 May New Delhi

Participation in Sougouten 2010 26-28 May Japan

Cost Reduction Strategies via TPM 18 June Jaipur

HR Mission 18 June Gurgaon

Finance for Non-Finance Executives 23 June New Delhi

Energy Management Training Programme 25 June Rudrapur

Contact: Vishal Sharma; Email: vishal.sharma@cii.in z Arpit Bejwalkar; Email: arpit.bejwalkar@cii.in z Surya Dhawan; Email: surya.dhawan@cii.in
z Sudhir Chawla; Email: sudhir.chawla@cii.in z Anju Mehra; Email: anju.mehra@cii.in z Reema Shrivastava; Email: reema.shrivastava@cii.in
z Samir Chatterjee; Email: samir.chatterjee@cii.in

For further details, contact Marut Sengupta, Confederation of Indian Industry,

23 Institutional Area , Lodi Road - 110 003, New Delhi; Ph: 9350800950,
Direct Tel: 91-11-24653006; Tel: +91-11–24629994–97 Ext 407; Fax: +91-11–24682229; Email: marut.sengupta@cii.in