Provide adequate support to MSMEs to boost exports: Parl panel

A Parliamentary panel today suggested the government to provide adequate support to the MSME sector to help them upgrade technology and boost exports.
"The committee recommend that the department works towards facilitation of cheap export credit to MSME sector and also create an efficacious framework to enable technology upgradation in MSME sector," standing committee on commerce said in its report.
It also asked the commerce department to take necessary measures to kick-start MSME exports in SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region in most optimal manner.
On rubber sector, it suggested the department to sensitise the Finance Ministry about the need for adequate financial assistance in order to improve the overall health of the sector.

"... The department should have made a convincing case to impress the Finance Ministry for adequate budget to Rubber Board," it added.
Similarly, it has made a case for adequate funds for Spices Board to enable them to penetrate high value markets.

In an another report, the standing committee has asked the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to prepare a status note on national manufacturing and investment zones (NMIZs).
The committee has observed the national manufacturing policy 2011 has envisaged to enhance the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25 per cent and create 100 million jobs over a decade but "the ground reality is such that half the decade has passed by and only 3 NMIZs are likely to be notified".

It also asked the DIPP to "spell out the reasons behind the delay and the steps taken by it to mitigate the delays".
NMIZs will be mega industrial zones with world-class supporting infrastructure. The government is offering a host of incentives like exemption from capital gains tax and a liberalised labour and environment norms to promote these zones.