Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Narayan Rane, has announced the establishment of MSME Technology Centre with an outlay of Rs 200 Crore in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. The MSME Technology Centre will provide the best of technology, incubation, and advisory support to the industry, especially MSMEs, to enhance their competitiveness and provide skilling services for the employed and unemployed youth of the area to enhance their employability.
The minister made this announcement at the inauguration of the two-day MSME Conclave (25 and 26 February) being organised in Sindhudurg by the Ministry of MSME. The conclave aims to promote entrepreneurship and trade opportunities for MSMEs in the Konkan region by handholding them in technology, product development and skilling.
Speaking about the significance of the conclave, the Union Minister said, "Such conclaves serve as an important platform for entrepreneurs, policymakers and other key stakeholders to engage in an open dialogue to exchange information, innovative ideas and explore mutual business opportunities."
"The objective behind this conclave is to make Sindhudurg region - the topmost in the industrial sector," said Rane. He pointed out how most of the residents of Sindhudurg had to leave the city in search of job opportunities and to earn a living. To benefit future generations, there is a need to change the current scenario where income is generated in Sindhudurg.
The MSME Ministry has set up nearly 2000+ new manufacturing units in Konkan, creating a huge scope of employment creation in Maharashtra.
The minister lauded the MSME Ministry's initiatives in the Konkan region and said there is a huge scope of employment creation in Maharashtra, particularly in the Konkan region. The minister added that the government is committed to promoting entrepreneurship and employment creation in the region by rigorous implementation of flagship programs, like Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), Honey Mission and Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana for the empowerment of potters, etc.
Rane said the Ministry has given a big thrust to entrepreneurship by setting up nearly 2000+ new manufacturing units in the Konkan region since 2016, resulting in 16,400 direct employment. To support these projects, Ministry has disbursed a subsidy amount of Rs 71.65 crore.
The minister also distributed electric potter wheels, bee boxes and incense making machines to rural artisans of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg District and adjoining areas. He also felicitated 25 Khadi artisans and handed over certificates on completion of training. Further, sanction letters were handed over to 10 PMEGP beneficiaries who will take a stride towards self-reliance by associating with Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
The senior officials also presented various schemes being implemented by the Ministry of the Ministry conclave, which was attended by entrepreneurs and youth from rural and semi-urban areas.
