BWI: 2nd Edition of Milagrow World SME Conference 2009 Concluded with an Overwhelming Response

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Milagrow
Thursday, December 17, 2009 05:42 PM IST (12:12 PM GMT)
Editors: General: People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services, Media & entertainment, Retailers
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2nd Edition of Milagrow World SME Conference 2009 Concluded with an Overwhelming Response
Over 300 Delegates Across the Globe Participated in the Milagrow Get Set Grow 2009

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, December 17, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Studies released on:

-- Effectiveness of Government Policies for the MSME sector in India
-- Comparative Study of MSME Policies across Indian States

The second day of the Milagrow World SME Conference 2009 concluded today at The Lalit, New Delhi. The theme of the 2nd edition of this conference was My Way, My Vision.

On the occasion, Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Founder CEO of Milagrow Business and Knowledge Solutions and Mr. Pravir Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Gov. of India released a study on "Comparative Study of MSME Policies across Indian states. The study recommends that 20% of public Procurement should be reserved for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and e - Procurement should be encouraged, amongst many another recommendations.

Shri. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of State, Department of Commerce and Industry in his recorded session expressed his views on "Collaboration and not just competition between India and foreign small and medium businesses". He quoted that despite the slowdown, India has achieved 7.98% GDP growth in which MSME's contribution is remarkable because MSME is very fundamental to the economy.

Addressing the subject "How the hidden jewels of India became the visible powerhouse if the Indian Economy during the slowdown", Mr. Pravir Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME quoted "This is really a miracle that the MSMEs have achieved such a phenomenal growth despite the slowdown. The MSMEs have not only survived the hardship of times, they have come out of flying colors by contributing about 40% of exports and employing 60 million people".

Demonstrating the credit issue, he said, "Terms are very strict for getting capital support for MSMEs in comparison to big players".

The technology base of the MSMEs is also very weak, which is one of the major reasons for SMEs lagging behind. He also revealed that Rs 700 crore has been provided through SIDBI to develop the funding base of the MSMEs along with the conversion of 25% of working capital to grant loans and urged the MSMEs to make prudent use of government schemes beneficial to MSMEs.

Lastly, he concluded his speech by complimenting the MSMEs for showing such a resilient attitude insipite of all the odds and termed them as real heroes of the Indian Economy.

In one of the panel discussions titled on 'Marketing on a Shoestring', eminent personalities from various industries like Mr. Dilip Cherian, Founder Partner, Perfect Relations, Ms. Meena Kapoor, CEO, Astroyogi.com, Mr. Harish Bhatia, Business Head, My FM, Mr. Avinash Gupta, President, Tally Solutions and Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Founder CEO, Milagrow Business and Knowledge Solutions shared their experiences on how they built their businesses and the challenges faced.

The other panel discussions, focussed on Collaborating with MSMEs from developed countries to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs in developing countries and alternative sources of funding for MSMEs".

In the concluding session, Shri. Dinesh Rai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Industry presented awards to associations that have played a key role in development of MSMEs.

Dinesh Rai awards associations supporting the MSMEs

On the second day of Milagrow World SME Conference 2009,Shri Dinesh Rai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Industry presented awards to associations that have played a key role in development of MSMEs.

The awards were based on the opinion of the officials of Ministry of MSME, Government of India, industry fraternity in general, and were also based on the contribution of these associations in making a robust SME ecosystem.
These organizations are Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), TiE, Meerut Industrial Forum (MIDFO), Western UP Chambers of Commerce (WUPCC), Faridabad Small Industries Association (FSIA) and Faridabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry(FCCI).

The Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), representing 100,000 exporters and importers in India was awarded for its untiring efforts in supporting the export organizations in difficult times. The award was received by Mr. Ajay Sahai, Director General on behalf of FIEO.

TiE with representation from 12 countries and comprising of more than 12,000 members and 2,500 charter members was recognized for building an entrepreneurial culture in the country. TiE through its 53 chapters across the country helps budding entrepreneurs leverage opportunities in the global market place. Ms. Geetika Dayal, Executive Director TiE accepted the award on behalf of TiE.

In 1940-50 decade, Meerut was probably 6th industrial area in the Country, but unfortunately with the focus shifting to other towns, Meerut has fallen behind the race. Meerut Industrial Development Forum (MIDFO) has been dedicated to the cause of development of revitalization of SMEs in Meerut, and they were awarded for their contribution to the industry. Mr. Girish , President MIDFO, received the award on behalf of MIDFO. Western U.P. Chamber of Commerce and Industry was recognized for its efforts to develop the SME ecosystem in Western UP. The award was accepted by

Faridabad Small Industries Association and Faridabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry were awarded for the SME Development in Faridabad. Mr. J.P.Malhotra , President and Mr. Rajiv Chawla , President received the awards on behalf of FCCI and FSIA respectively.

Recap of the First Day of the Conference

Chief Guest, Hon'ble Shri Dinsha J. Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, in his inaugural session addressed on the vision of the ministry of MSMEs in the short and long term plan. He shared that the 11th Five Year Plan will raise Rs 1,000 cr for the development of the MSME sector. He further stated, "In Indian economy, the MSME sector is the second largest contributor in terms of GDP after agriculture sector. It provides almost 80-90 % of employment to the Indian population and has 45% share in production and 35% in exports. In the year 2006, the MSME Act generated huge employment opportunities for the common people and we hope the trend will continue."

A study was also released by Milagrow in association with Milagrow - IMT Center of Excellence on "Effectiveness of Government Policies for the MSME Sector in India".

Prof. Anil Gupta, Executive Vice Chairman, National Innovation Foundation complimented the MSME sector for a phenomenal growth. He, however, emphasised that lack of investment in skill building is a burning issue and urged the government to help the MSME sector get its due recognition. He also expressed his concerns on ingenious innovations not getting noticed due to lack of information and awareness and therefore laid stress on use of technology in nurturing the grassroots innovation.

World renowned management guru, Dr. Jagdish Sheth spoke on the burning topic of growth titled "East or West, Growth for SMEs is the Real Test". He very elegantly demonstrated some of the factors responsible for the lack of attention to Indian MSMEs. He suggested a very important roadmap in developing the MSMEs in India. He said that "Entrepreneurships has no barriers, you can be illiterate but yet innovative".

Mr. Dinesh Rai said, "Our job is to make ordinary people into extraordinary. He stressed on skill building of remote area people." He named three initiatives by the Central government for the development of MSMEs, they were mainly Skill Development Council, Skill Development Mission and Skill Development Set-up as an engine to create more jobs. He threw light on the major problems faced by the MSMEs like credit problem, technology and skill management, taxation and revenue laws and issues of marketing and labour laws. According to him, the State and Central Governement should work paralelly to address the problems faced by MSMEs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Founder Director, Milagrow Business and Management Solutions said 'The SME sector, which contributes almost 40-50% of the economic activity has been an underserved, manipulated and much abused sector because of a variety of reasons. Because of misplaced regulatory and business compulsions, the sector never got its due. It is my dream that these hidden jewels of the Indian Industry shine brighter than ever now, especially when the Indian market place is growing. Milagrow as an organization is dedicated to the cause of MSMEs and the World SME Conference which is an annual feature in the global MSME Ecosystem playing an important role in helping and serving this cause better."

In a panel discussion titled on 'IT Solutions for MSMEs-Lip Service or Real Solutions' experts from the industry recommended that to serve the MSME sector profitably, there is a need to understand the market, provided indigenous and simple solutions that build confidence among the MSME community, about the benefits of IT.

In the second panel discussion on role of management and technical institutions in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems, eminent academicians emphasized on the need to inculcate entrepreneurship among graduating students.

The two day Milagrow World SME Conference 2009 was supported by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the National Small Industries Corporation. This conference was sponsored by Alibaba, British Airways, Citibank, Dell India, Intel, IMT Ghaziabad, Tally Solutions.

To know more about this conference, please visit www.wsme.in.

To view the photograph, please click on the link given below:

Shri Dinsha J[1]. Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of MSMEs, Government of India who delivered a speech on the "Vision of the ministry of M
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CONTACT DETAILS
Ms. Manauti Goel, DMAS PR, +91- 9810864864, manauti@dmaspr.com
Ms. Anku Sharma, MILAGROW, +91 99715 55770, anku.sharma@milagrow.in

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