New Delhi, 10 Mar, 2015: The Ministry of MSME is implementing the International Cooperation (IC) Scheme, which is an ongoing Plan Scheme, under which financial assistance is provided on reimbursement basis to the State/Central Government organizations, industries/enterprise associations and registered societies/trusts and organizations associated with MSME for deputation of MSME business delegations to other countries for exploring new areas of technology infusion/upgradation, facilitating joint ventures, improving market of MSMEs products, foreign collaborations etc.
During the year 2013-14, 56 delegations consisting of 700 entrepreneurs were supported with financial assistance of Rs.4.44 crore under International Cooperation Scheme. The countries which the delegations have visited include Italy, South Africa, China, USA, Australia, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Japan etc.
Marketing Assistance Scheme is also an ongoing Plan Scheme of the Ministry which is being implemented by National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), a Public Sector Enterprise of the Ministry. NSIC acts as a facilitator to promote marketing efforts and enhance the competency of the small enterprises for capturing the new market opportunities by way of organizing/participating in various domestic and international exhibitions/trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, intensive campaigns/seminars and consortia formation.
Under International Cooperation Scheme, the beneficiaries are free to choose an international event of their choice for participation, whereas under Marketing Assistance Scheme the events of importance are identified by NSIC in advance and interested MSMEs could apply for participation. Moreover the focus of International Cooperation Scheme is on international events whereas Marketing Assistance Scheme focuses on domestic events.
NSIC has signed a MoU with Black Business Council (BBC) of South Africa on 19th January, 2015 for Cooperation in the development of Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) in South Africa. Black Business Council in South Africa implements programs that assist businesses owned by marginalized groups which also comprise of women and youth. The main areas of cooperation between the two organizations covers conducting feasibility studies; developing policy & institutional framework; exchange of business missions to enhance enterprise to enterprise cooperation, initiate business alliance between enterprises of the two countries; exchange of information on products, services fairs & exhibitions and conducting virtual exhibitions on each other’s web portals; facilitate technology transfers to South Africa; and consultancy to BBC, South Africa for the development of Rapid Incubation Centres, which aims at developing unemployed youth for self-employment.
CCI Newswire
