Parliament Question: Technological Support to MSME Manufacturing Clusters

Executive Summary: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) outlines support for MSME manufacturing clusters, women entrepreneurs, and export enhancement in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3002, to be answered on August 7, 2025. The initiatives involve establishing new technology centers, implementing targeted schemes for women entrepreneurs, and employing strategies to increase MSME exports and global competitiveness. This includes financial assistance, training programs, and market linkage support. Key Points / Main Content: * **Technology Centers and Cluster Development:** * Nine new Technology Centres have been established out of 15 under the Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP). * The scheme for Establishment of new Technology Centres/Extension Centres (TCEC) aims to establish 20 additional Technology Centres. * The Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSECDP) enhances the productivity and competitiveness of MSEs through a cluster approach. * **Support for Women Entrepreneurs:** * Various schemes (PMEGP, CGTMSE, PPP, PMS, MSME TEAM Initiative, MSME Champions Scheme, Coir Vikas Yojana, PM Vishwakarma, IC Scheme) enable access to finance, training, and market linkages. * CGTMSE provides guarantee coverage of up to 90% and a 10% concession in annual Guarantee fees for micro and small women entrepreneurs (effective December 1, 2022). * PMEGP provides women enterprises with a higher subsidy (up to 35%) compared to non-special categories (25%). * Public Procurement Policy (PPP) mandates 3% of annual procurement by CPSEs/Ministries/Departments from women-owned micro enterprises. * 100% subsidy on the cost of ZED certification for Women-owned MSMEs under the MSME Sustainable ZED Certification Scheme. * An additional 5% Government of India (GoI) contribution towards the implementation cost for Women-owned MSMEs under the MSME Competitive LEAN Scheme. * Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana provide exclusive training for women artisans in the coir sector. * Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS) provides women entrepreneurs with a subsidy of 100% (compared to 80% for others). * Idea Hackathon 3.0 conducted particularly for Women under the Incubation component of the MSME Innovative Scheme. * **MSME Export Enhancement:** * Sixty-five Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) have been established in field organizations (MSME-Development and Facilitation Offices, MSME Technology Centres, and MSME Testing Centres). * EFCs provide mentoring and handholding to MSMEs for exporting products and services. Impact Analysis: * **MSMEs (including Women Entrepreneurs):** * *Impact:* Improved access to technology, finance, training, market linkages, and export opportunities, leading to enhanced competitiveness and growth. * *Action Required:* Utilize available schemes, training programs, and EFC services to enhance their operations and expand into new markets. * **Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)/Ministries/Departments:** * *Impact:* Required to allocate 3% of annual procurement to women-owned micro enterprises. * *Action Required:* Implement mechanisms to track and ensure compliance with the 3% procurement mandate. * **Coir Artisans (especially Women):** * *Impact:* Access to specialized skill upgradation programs and support through the Coir Vikas Yojana. * *Action Required:* Participate in the Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana to enhance their skills and productivity.

Key Entities Referenced