SSI units in MP eye business in Egypt

Small-scale units from Madhya Pradesh are eyeing a business of Rs 2.37 crore from ventures with Egyptian firms.

Out of 19 companies from India that participated in the Cairo International Fair, held from March 19-28, ten SSI units were from the state. Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Sangh and Madhya Pradesh Trade and Felicitation Corporation organised the participation of these firms under a Government of India scheme.

The SSI units are expecting to convert 40 business inquiries into real transactions by May or June. Akanksha Sales Promotors, Cee Dee Industries, Enn-Kay Engineering, Omen Drugs Pvt Ltd, Truba Aqua Pvt Ltd, Evonne (all firms from Bhopal), Vindhya Paper Products, and Prabhat Candle Works from Satna, Diamond Crystals Pvt Ltd from Indore and Katni Tile Works participated in the fair.

"Akanksha, a small firm engaged in petrol pump canopy fabrication, is expecting business from Morocco. A team from a Morocco firm is likely to visit Akanksha next month," said a senior official who led the team. The firm has received two business inquiries of Rs 1 crore in terms of value of exports. "We are confident of converting the enquiries into business," said an industrialist.

Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Sangh President Radha Sharan Goswami also hoped that visits to the Community of Independent Nations (CIS) will fetch some results.

"The results are encouraging, orders and inquiries are pouring in. The Egyptian nations have a huge demand for canopies, refractories, pharma products and herbal products."

The firms which participated in the fair showcased pharma products, cement water proofing compound, larvicide and mosquito killers, paintings, made-ups, handicraft items, deep well equipments, hand pumps and even business outsource processing education items.

"Ours is the only state that participated in the fair under a ministry of small-scale industry initiative. Our small-scale units have also participated in a buyer-seller meet and explored the possibilities of exports from Madhya Pradesh," said a senior government official.

Madhya Pradesh's small-scale industries mainly produce auto components, engineering goods and pharma products. For the first time, the SSI units were venturing into a new zone to explore the possibilities, he said.