Karnataka firms get new technology

The state council has identified over 9,000 techniques from across the world.

The Karnataka Council for Technological Upgrade (KCTU) has launched several initiatives to transfer the latest technologies to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The council's objective is to enhance the competitiveness of the sector through technological upgrade. It will also help firms to plan their modernisation and diversification programmes.

The council is a joint venture of the central government, the Karnataka government and several industry associations.

N Chandrasekhar, managing director, KCTU, said: "The level of awareness towards adoption of newer technologies is very low among the SMEs in our country and there is a need to tell them how best they can transform their business by adopting new techniques. The KCTU is working towards bridging this gap at no cost to SMEs."

In the last 10 years of its existence, the KCTU has identified over 9,000 technologies from across the world suitable for adoption by the SMEs and facilitated transfer of about 40-odd technologies from various state and central laboratories and R&D institutes to the SMEs in Karnataka.

Important among them are the black chromium coating for solar energy applications, developed by the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), the corrosion prevention technology, developed by the Naval Material Research Lab, Ambarnath in Gujarat, and the development of soft drinks and jams for diabetics from a government research institute in Jammu and Kashmir, among others.

The KCTU also helps SMEs in filing patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The council also guides SMEs to produce quality products by obtaining ISO certification.

"The R&D institutes in the private and public sectors have done a lot of work in developing new technologies, which are tested and available for transfer and commercialisation. We work as the nodal agency for the transfer of technology from them to SMEs, free of cost," added Chandrasekhar.

"A number of SMEs have benefited from the transfer of the latest technologies. However, there is a need to take these technologies to rural Karnataka," said Prithvi Raj, former president, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association.

The KCTU has also set up a WTO Relay Cell to deal with matters pertaining to industry and trade. The council also has an extensive database on the WTO and its implications on various sectors.

Besides all this, it also arranges business meets between foreign delegates and SMEs in Karnataka, and aides in acquisition and adaptation of modern technologies.