UP industry body goes high-tech to promote sector

Q&A/ DS Verma, executive director, IIA

The Indian Industry Association (IIA), the biggest industry chamber of Uttar Pradesh, has taken major information technology initiatives to bring about a change in the working environment of the SMEs in the state.

DS Verma, executive director, IIA, talks to Shruti Srivastava about how the new internet-based programme will benefit the SMEs of the state.

How effective has the IIA been in implementing IT techniques in its working?

The IIA is engaged in the use of information technology (IT) to serve its large member base which includes mainly the SMEs and the MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) of Uttar Pradesh.

We propose to carry our entire work through the use of IT-related technologies. We intend to connect all our chapters online, with all communication being done via e-mails.

Can you tell us about the main e-initiatives taken by your association?

The "single table system", a web-based system for the entrepreneurs who want to invest and set up industries in the state, is the most popular e-initiative taken by the IIA. This system has even caught the attention of the World Bank which is now doing a study on the same.

The 'MSME Product and Services' link on our website is another major draw which is gaining popularity off late. The 'Buy Sell Desk' is also severing as a platform for the SMEs to explore market for their products, nationally as well as internationally.

We also have a Small Industries Information Service Centre, a joint venture of the IIA and Sidbi. It is a web-based SME information centre which can be used by the entrepreneurs as well as by government departments to create an information database for SMEs with reference to SME operations in all areas.

It has helped in widening the market sphere of small and medium enterprises through Internet and e-commerce.

Besides this, the IIA has also helped in developing the website of the Uttar Pradesh Export Corporation. We are also in talks with many other departments which seek our assistance to develop or improve their IT tools like websites, etc.

Tell us something about your involvement with the single table system?

This web-based system is developed by the IIA with the support of the State Udyog Bandhu. The objective is to facilitate the entrepreneurs to access, fill up and print the required forms from the website and submit these along with enclosures and required fee in the concerned department.

It gives an opportunity to the entrepreneurs to look at the status of their applications online for approvals/no-objections/licenses, anywhere, anytime through the website.

Are SMEs in Uttar Pradesh internet savvy and be able to use these initiatives of the IIA?

Only about 5 per cent of the SMEs in the state use IT-related tools in their business. So, the impact of these initiatives is slow, but a beginning has to be made and we have done it.

What are you expectations from the present government?

We want the government to focus on the small-scale industry and revive it on a priority basis. We suggest it to talk to various industry associations to help revitalise this sector.