To The Point

Thus, Indian MSME sector is the backbone of the national economic structure and acts as a bulwark for Indian economy, providing resilience to ward off global economic shocks and adversities.

MSME redefined

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2018 proposes to reclassify all MSMEs, whether they are manufacturing or service-providing enterprises, on the basis of their annual turnover.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and further referred to the Standing Committee which tabled its report on 28 December 2018.

Benefits of proposed reclassification

The new classification would eliminate the need for frequent inspections which was earlier required to check the investment in plant and machinery.
It would be a non discriminatory, transparent and objective criterion.

Factors which led to growth of MSMEs

Campaigns like Skill India, Startup India, Digital India and Make in India aim to provide MSME players with a level playing field and a definitive push towards enhanced productivity.
Digitization: Increasing internet penetration, customer’s familiarization with digital payments fuelled by B2C ecommerce players facilitate MSME sector growth.
Tie-ups with new-age non-banking finance (FinTech) companies allowed access to timely collateral free finance to MSMEs.
Changing employment patterns: Younger generation shifting from agriculture towards entrepreneurial activities creating job prospects for others.

Issues faced by MSMEs and steps taken to improve their condition

Access to credit

90% of the MSMEs are dependent on informal sources for funding
Lack of sufficient collateral and high working capital needs

Launch of the 59 minute loan portal to enable easy access to credit for MSMEs.
2 percent interest subvention for all GST registered MSMEs, on fresh or incremental loans.
Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS) to enable access to credit from banks, based on their upcoming trade receivables from corporate and other buyers.

Access to Markets

Low outreach and non availability of new markets.
Lack of skilled manpower and ineffective marketing strategy.
Difficult for MSMEs to sell products to government agencies.
Competition from MNCs and other big industries.

Union government announced to launch an e-commerce platform on the lines of “Amazon and Alibaba" to sell products from MSMEs and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
Public sector companies now compulsorily procure 25%, instead of 20% of their total purchases, from MSMEs.
More than 40,000 MSMEs registered on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. It provides transparency in procurement and facilitates MSMEs to directly reach out to the buyers.

Technology Access

Limited human resources and weak financial standing.
MSMEs, particularly in the unorganised sector, show lower adaptability of new technology and innovation.

20 hubs and 100 spokes in the form of tool rooms will be established across the country. This will facilitate product design and easy access to latest technology to MSMEs.
Financial assistance is provided for implementation of lean manufacturing techniques to enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of MSMEs.

Quality and Export Issues

Low quality products impact export competitiveness.
Inadequate access to quality raw materials.
Use of traditional machines causes low productivity.

Financial support to MSMEs in ZED(Zero Defect Zero Effect) certification to improve quality of products.
Government provides subsidy towards the expenditure incurred by enterprises to obtain the product certification licenses from national and international bodies.

Ease of Doing Business

Cumbersome government procedures and rules for establishing new units.
Bureaucratic delays in getting clearances.
Poor litigation system in the country.

The return under 8 labour laws and 10 Union regulations must now be filed only once a year.
Computerised random allotment for inspector visits to the establishment.
Environmental Clearance under air pollution and water pollution laws, have been merged into one. Also, the return will be accepted through self-certification.
For minor violations under the Companies Act, the entrepreneur will no longer have to approach the courts, but can correct them through simple procedures. This signifies simplification of government procedures and instilling confidence among entrepreneurs.

Government schemes to promote MSMEs

Udyami Mitra Portal: launched by SIDBI to improve accessibility of credit and handholding services to MSMEs.
MSME Sambandh: To monitor the implementation of the public procurement from MSMEs by Central Public Sector Enterprises.
MSME Samadhaan -MSME Delayed Payment Portal –– will empower Micro and Small entrepreneurs across the country to directly register their cases relating to delayed payments by Central Ministries/Departments/CPSEs/State Governments.
Digital MSME Scheme: It involves usage of Cloud Computing where MSMEs use the internet to access common as well as tailor-made IT infrastructure
Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme : It is a credit linked subsidy program under Ministry of MSME.
Revamped Scheme of Fund for Regeneration Of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) : organizes traditional industries and artisans into clusters and make them competitive by enhancing their marketability & equipping them with improved skills.
A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry & Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE) : creates new jobs & reduce unemployment, promotes entrepreneurship culture, facilitates innovative business solution etc.
National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) : to develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs by improving their processes, designs, technology and market access.
Micro & Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) - adopts cluster development approach for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of MSEs.
Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) is operational for upgradation of technology for MSMEs.

Other recent initiatives to promote MSMEs

In June 2019, RBI committee headed by former SEBI Chairman UK Sinha suggested a Rs 5,000 crore stressed asset fund for the MSME sector to provide relief to small businesses hurt by demonetisation, GST, and an ongoing liquidity crisis.
- It has also recommended doubling the cap on collateral-free loans to Rs 20 lakh from the current Rs 10 lakh extended to borrowers falling under the Mudra scheme, self-help groups, and MSMEs.
Therefore, the government should continue to put concerted efforts for holistic development of MSMEs in key areas like human capacity development, knowledge services, access to finance, technology, infrastructure, market access, and ease of doing business.

International Experiences
- According to World Bank, formal SMEs contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of national income (GDP) in emerging economies.
- 600 million jobs will be needed in the next 15 years to absorb the growing global workforce, mainly in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which also create 4 out of 5 new positions.
- However, access to credit remains a major problem to the MSME sector globally.
In globalised world, it is imperative to enable MSMEs to adapt and thrive in a more open environment and participate more actively in the digital transformation, to boost economic growth and deliver a more inclusive globalisation.

Way Forward
- Today enterprises need to adopt best practises and follow international standards to go forward for offering innovative solutions.
- Focus should be on transfer of information and skill development to effectively use the transferred technology.
- There is an urgent need to upgrade infrastructure utilities (like water, power supply, road/rail) for any enterprise to run its operations successfully.
- Entrepreneurs need to develop quality conscious mindsets embedded in the organisational culture.
- Sensitisation and handholding of MSMEs at different and upgraded level of certification is the need of the hour.
Finally, as recommended by India MSME Report 2018, we need an entitlement approach that can have the potential of compelling all related stakeholders to work on a common national agenda and solutions under a scientifically structured framework. This approach demands the identification and analysis of major security threats to the MSMEs, and entrepreneurship at the grass root level.