The quality of human resources available to India&rsquo;s small-scale industrial units, especially in manufacturing, is far from satisfactory. These units therefore perform below their potential.

Small units fret over quality of talent

Business Standard

The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) has suggested the formulation of a Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for the engineering sector. It feels this will help India achieve the target of doubling exports in three years.

EEPC seeks Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme

Two-thirds of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing units have witnessed improved market conditions since last year, according to the findings of a survey conducted by IndiaMART Research Unit among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Two-thirds of pharma units see recovery, says survey

A Crisil study on the funding patterns of 2,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India reveals that there is scope for banks to increase their lending to SMEs by Rs 50,000 crore, the ratings agency said in a press release here.

'Scope for banks to lend more to SMEs'

In run-up to the Union Budget 2011 to be presented next month, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have demanded tax incentives in the annual financial statement to maintain their competitiveness vis-&agrave;-vis large industries.

MSME sector demands tax benefits in Union Budget '11

The tie-up between the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Madras Stock Exchange (MSE), a regional stock exchange, has helped the latter to rope in new members. MSE&rsquo;s representatives have said that the major beneficiaries are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and retail investors.

Madras Stock Exchange ropes in new members

Spanco, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, recently announced plans for expansion at its Dehradun call centre.

BPOs want better security and transport service

We are a joint venture company rendering construction services in India for infrastructure projects.

'Advance ruling on service tax not needed by ongoing business'

The Small &amp; Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Ahmedabad-based International Centre for Entrepreneurship &amp; Career Development (ICECD) recently signed a five-year MoU providing for collaboration in the field of education, research and extension services for MSMEs, along with promotion of entrepreneurship in the rural areas of Nigeria.

ICECD signs 5-year MoU with Nigerian agency

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is contributing handsomely not only to the industrial growth of the country, but is also playing a vital role towards an egalitarian economy.

Backward sections lead MSME march in UP

Business is booming again for the Indian machine tool industry after the nightmare years of 2008 and 2009, when the financial crisis led to order cancellations, deferment of deliveries and pressure on bottomlines.

Machine tool sector poised for 25% growth in 2012-13

Realising the adverse impact of the slowdown on micro, small and medium enterprises, the Haryana government&rsquo;s new Industrial and Investment Policy-2011 aims to give the state&rsquo;s MSMEs a fresh lease of life through the adoption of a cluster-based approach.

Haryana to address SME concerns through new cluster-based policy

Mini steel plants and other small industrial units in Chhattisgarh are considering a proposal to purchase power from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Manikaran Power Limited (MPL).

Chhattisgarh small units mull options to buy power

Only 26.1 per cent of SMEs in the handicraft sector felt that the market picked up in 2010, as compared to 2009. Around 56.5 per cent (ie.

Market yet to pick up for handicraft sector

The impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) on the domestic micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and the general ignorance among the micro and small businesses about the concept has prompted MSME chamber Indian Industries Association (IIA) to seek remedial measures.

MSME body concerned over FTA impact on sector

&ldquo;The event is a B2B platform for the MSME sector to promote their products. The small and medium units will exhibit their production capability and services they offer, whereas the participating PSUs will exhibit their requirements,&rdquo; B Sarat Kumar, assistant director (glass and ceramics), MSME-DI, said.

MSME expo from Jan 22

Micro, small and medium industries (MSMEs) in Madhya Pradesh have demanded low interest regime, soft procedures and rework on Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme (CGFS). The industries associations are planning to press for the demands to be met in the forthcoming Budget. Credit to small and medium enterprises in the state, according to various associations, is costlier and insufficient during high inflation situation, ever increasing prices of raw material, labour shortage and highly competitive environment.

MP MSMEs demand reworking of CGFS

Two years ago the machine tool industry, an integral part of any manufacturing activity, was struggling to not only pay shop floor workers their salaries but also retain them, owing to the slowdown in industrial activity and cancellation of orders. Today, the sector is not only recruiting in large numbers, but also making workers undergo additional training to meet the new skill requirements.

IMTMA to make engineering graduates industry-ready

Taking a leaf out of the success stories of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region, the farming community in Haryana is making an effort to emulate the concept of clusters.

Haryana farmers adopt cluster approach

Customs exemption notification no. 154/94 dated 13.07.1994 has four entries for samples. The first entry relates to samples that are exempt from import duties under and in accordance with the International Convention to facilitate the importation of commercial samples and advertising material drawn up at Geneva and dated the 7th day of November, 1952. The second entry relates to samples imported as personal baggage by bona fide commercial travellers or businessmen, or imported by post or by air. Here the limit is Rs 300,000 or 50 numbers in a 12-month period. The third entry relates to prototypes of engineering goods imported as samples for executing or for use in connection with securing export orders. Here, if the value exceeds Rs 10,000, the sample must be re-exported within nine months.

'Commercial travellers may import samples worth Rs 3 lakh as personal baggage'

The Regional Resource Centre for Cluster Development (RRC) of the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati (an organisation which is under the Union ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises) is implementing several MSME clusters in different trades in the north-east.

20,000 benefit from MSME development in North East

SME: Find all the latest news on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in India. Explore more for the top headlines about SME sector on Business Standard.

Page 77 - SME