CII highlights flagship programmes
Digitization of the procurement portal has eased up the mode of business for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) resulting in savings about 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This was stated at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) which organised the 5th National Vendor Development Programme (NVDP) on 23 August 2018, in partnership with Ministry of MSME.
The NVDP brought together leading Indian PSUs from across sectors and the MSMEs, to promote long term supply relationships between them and sensitize MSMEs about the product and service requirements, procurement policies and procedures as well as the vender registration processes, delivery terms, tender documentation, etc. of leading PSUs.
The Inaugural Session was opened by Shreekant Somany, Chairman, CII National MSME Council, emphasized on the importance of the SMEs to the GDP and ensuring social inclusion.
He said that with around 63.4 million units throughout the geographical expanse of the country, MSMEs contribute around 6.11% of the manufacturing GDP, 24.63% of the GDP from service activities and 33.4% of India’s manufacturing output.
They have been able to provide employment to around 120 million persons and contribute around 40% of the overall exports from India.
The product range of the Indian MSME sector spans from traditional and handicraft products to hi-tech items. This makes them almost indispensable to the growth of the economy.
He also focused that CII with its strength of a huge SME membership (almost 70% of the total), it stands at the right place to pitch the voices of the smaller and medium yet very significant players.
Given the huge responsibility, CII has certain flagship programmes like Technology Facilitation Centre, Finance Facilitation Centre, Defence & Aerospace Consulting Services, Global SME Summits, Trade fairs, International missions and training programmes, Cluster Initiatives, National Vendor Development Program along with rigorous policy advocacy to promote and encourage the SMEs to reach new heights.
Some of the key recommendations that were discussed were:
State level Public Procurement Policies must be launched for expanding the coverage of public procurement from MSEs;
A central repository of information should be created on MSMEs manufacturing various products across the country;
Empanelment and enrolment fee should be abolished, and earnest money deposit exemptions must be strictly implemented for procurement orders to MSMEs;
PSUs and other procuring agencies, measures such as regular engagement with MSEs, simplification and standardization of vendor registration processes, easier bid norms, regular vendor development programmes, feedback to MSEs, timely payments, etc. can assist in enhancing MSE procurements. fiinews.com
