Market development schemes set to promote MSME sector exports

The market development schemes help exporters of Indian SMEs in tapping overseas markets and encourage the domestic micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards exports.

The Dollar Business Bureau KVIC The Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, on Thursday, said that the government was implementing various schemes for the market development aimed at promoting exports of MSME products. Kalraj Mishra, the Minister of State, MSME, said his ministry is implementing various export promotion schemes which include International Cooperation Scheme (ICS), Marketing Development Assistance Scheme (MDAS), among others. Under the ICS, the financial assistance will be given to the enterprises, organizations, associated with MSMEs on a re-imbursement basis. Through this scheme, the ministry encourages deputation of domestic MSME business delegations to other countries for exploring new areas of MSMEs. The financial assistance under the scheme is also extended to MSMEs for participating in international exhibitions, trade fairs, buyer-seller meets and seminars. Market development schemes provide platforms for exporters of Indian small and micro enterprises to tap overseas markets, encouraging the domestic micro and small manufacturing enterprises towards exports. The ministry also organises training activities as a part of the export promotion scheme, which includes training on packaging for exports through the scientific packaging techniques, latest designs of packaging technology, among others. The market assistance schemes by the Nation Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) on behalf of the MSME ministry provides efficient marketing support to the MSMEs and also helps in enhancing the competitiveness and marketability of the domestic products in the international markets. The minister also informed about the government’s efforts in ensuring the development and promotion of the Khadi, Village Industries (KVIs) sector within the country and also in border areas. Through schemes like Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certification (ISEC), Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), the ministry provides proper infrastructure and product development support through cluster formation for KVIs, he added. In addition, the government is also implementing a major credit-linked subsidy programme - Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)-- for employment generation in rural India, the minister said.