An MSME census is needed in Odisha to assess the actual statistics and status of the sector, which has a major role in development of economy in the State.
A latest report on economic possibilities for Odisha prepared jointly by JSW and PwC strongly feels that mapping and profiling of MSME units and clusters are needed to know the real position. And this can be done through proper MSME census, feel experts.
While the latest Economic Survey of the State Government reveals that there are 50,158 MSME units set up with an investment of Rs 2,324.46 crore by 2017-18, this has led to employment generation for 1.47 lakh persons. A total of 3,91,697 MSMEs were established with an investment of Rs 19,068 crore and employment to 15,27,373 persons till March,2019.
During last five years, a total of 1,98,736 MSME units were set up and started production with a total investment of Rs 109.75 crore and employment generation of 6.28 lakh persons in the State.
But with such statistics, proper assessment of the MSME sector cannot be done, feel experts.
A single database is needed and all MSMEs are to be formally brought under State Management Information Service (SMIS) of industries and all their activities are to be linked including financing, manpower, raw material requirement and markets.
Once it is done then one can visualise the entire sector and thereby to study and sort out the problems faced by the MSMEs, pointed out an expert.
An MSME cluster diagnosis and sickness study of all clusters in the State is needed to be done as well.
Development of Cluster Development Plan and Common Facilities and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV)s for operation of the same is needed to be taken up. The State needs development of MSME parks and start-up innovation parks in plug and play model.
The JSW-PwC Report suggests that at least all blocks should have one MSME Park each.
The report suggests institutional and policy reforms, which include capacity building of District Industries Centre(DIC)s across all the districts of the State.
And also,introduction of single window marketing and forward-backward linkage helpdesk and facilitation centre for MSME sector is needed.
Till date, 423 start-ups have been recognised in the State and 70 benefits given to 55 start-ups, out of which, 16 are women-led.
The assisted start-ups are providing employment to 1,210 plus persons. Further, 12 incubators are registered with total incubation area of 4.5 lakh SFT.
For effective monitoring, screening and evaluation, 12 nodal agencies empanelled.
Mentorship support is also provided to start-ups with a network of 110 mentors. Odisha has also registered its first angel network ‘Bhubaneswar Angels’.
So the JSW-PwC Report has suggested above four pillars of development as MSME and start-ups are key growth drivers for the State economy.
Published On : 16-07-2019
Source : Daily Pioneer
