The Cabinet Secretary, Shri Ajit Seth today reviewed the export scenario with special emphasis on exports from Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises at Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi. The high level meeting was attended, apart from the industry leaders, by Finance Secretary, Commerce Secretary, Secretary Industry, Secretary MSME, Secretary Steel and Secretary Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Other senior officers of the concerned departments and Ministries were also present.

The Industry put forward issues pertaining to the exports in the sector and focused on areas like cost of credit, technology upgradation, skill training, packaging and export incentives. Representatives from FIEO, CII, Carpet Industry, Electronics, Plastic, Handicraft and many other areas gave their suggestions for improving exports from the sector.

The Cabinet Secretary said that he had taken note of the suggestions given and assured that the Government should be able to give serious thought to many of the suggestions offered. “MSME Sector is the backbone of manufacturing in the country. On immediate basis I will form 2-3 small groups so that suggestions offered here can be looked into. This will help us in ascertaining that what can be done quickly and I will take another reviews with the Secretaries in three weeks time so that we can do something quickly for this sector,” said Shri Seth. The Cabinet Secretary also emphasized need for constant technology upgradation and innovation to stay competitive in the global market. While appreciating the contribution that the MSME sector is making towards high-tech sectors such as space and defence, he underscored the importance of concerted efforts to increase the share of MSMEs in these technological areas and the necessity for creation of IPRs. He further stated that there is an imperative need to constantly upgrade the skills through continuing skill upgradation programmes.

Commerce Secretary Shri S R Rao made the introductory remarks and Director General of Foreign Trade made the presentation on export situation. Finance Secretary, Secretary MSME and Secretary Industry also made comments on the issue.

MSME export promotion: Government to form working groups and pursue technology, skill and IPR measures to boost competitiveness. A high-level review of MSME exports gathered industry and senior officials to address barriers-cost of credit, technology upgradation, skill development, packaging and export incentives-and committed to forming small working groups for rapid follow-up and reconvened review to develop implementable measures. The meeting emphasized technology adoption, innovation, increased MSME participation in advanced sectors, and creation and protection of intellectual property alongside structured skill upgradation programmes to boost export competitiveness.