Registration procedure for MSME associations on the anvil

MSME Ministry plans to establish a registration procedure for associations linked to the country's micro, small and medium enterprises in order to enhance their involvement while formulating policies for the sector, Union Minister Kalraj Mishra said.

The registration procedure will be on the lines of the one already in place for filing Entrepreneurs Memorandum (EM).

"My Ministry is trying to formalize the relationship with prominent MSME associations to be its partner in the growth process. A procedure of registration of suitable Associations akin to EM filing is being conceptualized. Once this plan gets fructified, MSME associations will get to play a bigger role in various aspects of policy making," Mishra said while addressing MSME associations at Ficci.

The Minister asked the industry bodies associated with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to come forward with innovative solutions to address various issues facing the sector and provide constructive inputs for policy formulation and implementation.

The Entrepreneurs Memorandum may be filed by MSMEs with the District Industries Centre in the jurisdiction of which the enterprise is (or, is proposed to be) located.

Besides, Mishra said the MSME Ministry is in the process of installing a universal information technology-enabled online system of EM (Entrepreneurs' Memorandum) filing in collaboration with state governments.

Earlier in the day, the Minister inaugurated the fourth edition of the India International Leather Fair, a three-day Business to Business (B2B) event of the India Trade Promotion Organizations (ITPO) here.

The fair has a a variety of leather products like machinery, equipment & technology; finished leather; synthetic material; footwear & footwear components, leather garments, goods & accessories, etc.

Speaking at the fair, the Minister said that the Indian Leather industry holds a prominent place in the economy with an annual turnover of USD 11 billion. This is an employment intensive sector, providing jobs to about 2.5 million people in the country. Women employment is predominant in leather sector with about 30 per cent share, he pointed out.

PTI