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Minister for MSME inaugurates Vocational Training & Incubation Centre at Kigali, Rawanda

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Delhi
Shri Kalraj Mishra Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises inaugurated a Vocational Training & Incubation Centre at Kigali, Rawanda here today.

Congratulating people of Rawanda on the occasion, Shri Mishra said that India is happy to share its experience with Rwanda in developing skills, technology and products for the development of small and medium enterprises.

He said that the Incubator envisage transformation of an unemployed youth into budding entrepreneur in just few months time. This Incubator shall also provide an opportunity for first generation entrepreneurs to acquire skill on basic technical trades and gain exposure in all areas of business operation such as business skill development, identification of appropriate technology, hands on experience on 17 working projects and vocational trades, project / product selection, opportunity guidance including commercial aspects of business etc.

The Vocational Training Centre in Kigali would incubate unemployed youths into budding micro and small entrepreneurs. The Incubation programme of this centre shall provide on- the-job training to the prospective entrepreneurs.

The selection of technologies and trades in the Incubation Centre includes the sectors like food and agro processing, light engineering, vocational trades and other stand-alone small scale manufacturing projects etc. These technologies are easy to run, easy to maintain and easy to source and therefore most appropriate for developing countries like Rwanda. I am quite optimistic that this effort of Government of India will help significantly in bridging the gap of required skilled work force as well as foster the growth of new enterprises in Rwanda and neighboring countries.

He said that in India Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the last five decades. It has been playing an important role in socio economic development of India. This sector contributes around 8% of GDP. MSME sector accounts for around 40% of the total exports and around 45% of the manufacturing output. As per the Fourth All India Census of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, total number of Enterprises of the MSME sector in India is 44 million. The sector provides employment to 80 million persons.

With the spectacular growth being maintained by MSME sector in the overall manufacturing output of the country, we are focusing on maintaining the growth of this sector which is a very important constituent of Indian economy. MSMEs will play an important role in realizing Prime Ministers vision of Make in India i.e. to make India a manufacturing hub with Zero Defect and Zero Effect policy -Zero Defect is for global quality standards and Zero Effect means environment-friendly and sustainable products.

Emphasizing on adequate flow of credit from financial institutions/ banks; support for technology up-gradation and modernization; creating integrated infrastructural facilities; entrepreneurship development and skill up-gradation through appropriate training facilities; providing support for product development, design intervention and packaging; assistance for better access to domestic and export markets are some of the initiatives taken by my Ministry to assist MSMEs to compete in the global market.

We understand that Rwanda's economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture and its manufacturing sector is dominated by the production of import substitutes for internal consumption. Government of Rwanda is in the process of establishing small enterprises in the country.

In this reference, let me here reiterate Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modis Slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas i.e. Participation of all for development of all.

I have been told that NSIC is already extending such knowledge sharing with other African Countries. NSIC reach knowledge and experience in such consultancy services could be availed on mutually agreed terms.

 

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First Published: Jan 16 2015 | 12:21 AM IST

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