K C Chakrabarty: Empowering MSMEs for financial inclusion and growth -
the role of banks and industry associations
Address by Dr K C Chakrabarty, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, at the "SME
Banking Conclave 2012" organised by the SME Chamber of India, Mumbai, 4 February
2012.
* * *
Assistance provided by Smt Lily Vadera in preparation of this address is gratefully acknowledged.
Shri G. N. Bajpai, Former Chairman, SEBI & Chairman, Indian SME Knowledge Forum,
Shri M. Narendra, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Overseas Bank, Shri N. Shankar,
CMD, ECGC, Shri A. Krishna Kumar, MD, SBI, Shri R. K. Dubey, ED, CBI,
Dr K. Ramakrishnan, CEO, Indian Banks' Association, Shri K V Srinivasan, CEO, Reliance
Commercial Finance Ltd, Shri Chandrakant Salunkhe, President, SME Chamber of India,
SME Entrepreneurs, other distinguished guests, members of the print and electronic media,
ladies and gentlemen.
1. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to be present here today at the "SME Banking
Conclave 2012" and share some of my thoughts and experiences on the development of
MSMEs which is a vital sector of our economy. This Conclave gains importance in the
context of globalization when the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) face challenges and
take advantage of opportunities created. Such a forum helps in garnering and shaping public
opinion, building consensus, crystallizing policy inputs and giving us feedback on our policy
initiatives. I congratulate SME Chamber of India for organizing the "SME Banking Conclave
2012". The SME Chambers has succeeded in bringing a large number of MSMEs under a
single umbrella, thereby, making it a potent and active forum for dialogue with the potential
partners in the development of the MSME sector in the country, which includes the industry,
the financial sector and the Government.
Importance of the MSME sector
2. As all of you are associated in some ways with the MSME sector, its critical role and
place in the Indian economy is very well known to all of you in terms of employment
generation, exports and economic empowerment of a vast section of the population and I do
not want to spend a lot of time overemphasizing it. But let me quote just a couple of statistics.
As per available statistics (4th Census of MSME Sector), this sector employs an estimated
59.7 million persons spread over 26.1 million enterprises. It is estimated that in terms of
value, MSME sector accounts for about 45% of the manufacturing output and around 40% of
the total export of the country which is next only to the agricultural sector. It is, therefore, only
appropriate that public policy has accorded high priority to this sector in order to achieve
balanced, sustainable, more equitable and inclusive growth in the country.
3. The MSMEs primarily rely on bank finance for their operations and as such ensuring
timely and adequate flow of credit to the sector has been an overriding public policy
objective. Over the years there has been a significant increase in credit extended to this
sector by the banks. As at the end of March 2011, the total outstanding credit provided by all
Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) to the MSE sector stood at Rs.4785.27 billion as
against Rs. 3622.90 billion in March 2010 registering an increase of 32%. The outstanding
credit for the last four years to the MSE sector is given in Table 1.1 below:
Table1.1
Outstanding credit to the MSE sector by SCBs
(No. of A/Cs - in million) (Amount - Rs. in billion)
All Scheduled
Year Public Sector Banks Private Sector Banks Foreign Banks
Commercial Banks
Last Friday No of No of No of
Amt O/s Amt O/s Amt O/s No of A/Cs Amt O/s
of A/Cs A/Cs A/Cs
3.967 1511.374 0.819 469.118 0.065 154.892 4.851 2135.386
March 2008*
4.115 1914.083 0.678 466.563 0.058 180.634 4.851 2561.280
March 2009
(3.73%) (26.64%) (-17.21%) (0.54%) (-10.78%) (16.61%) (No change) (19.94%)
7.217 2763.189 1.131 648.247 0.157 211.470 8.505 3622.907
March 2010#
(75.38%) (44.36%) (66.81%) (38.94%) (170.69%) (17.07%) (75.32%) (41.44%)
7.398 3694.30 1.718 881.16 0.186 209.81 9.302 4785.27
March 2011
(2.51%) (33.70%) (51.90%) (35.93%) (18.47%) (-0.78%) (9.37%) (32.08%)
* change in definition of the sector as per the MSMED Act 2006 advised to banks in 2007
# Retail trade included in service sector
Source: Scheduled Commercial Banks
Note: Figs. In parentheses indicates YoY % growth/decline
4. The total MSE Credit as percentage of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) has been
increasing since 2007 as shown below in Chart 1.1. In March 2011, it stood at 14.8% for the
Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
Chart 1.1
Credit to the MSE by PSBs (as % to ANBC)
5. Despite the increase in credit outstanding to the sector, the MSME borrowers feel
that the lenders are not doing enough for the MSMEs and are catering more to the needs of
the large corporates. This gap in perception needs to be bridged.
6. SMEs face a number of problems, such as, absence of adequate and timely banking
finance, limited capital and knowledge, non-availability of suitable technology, low production
capacity, ineffective marketing strategy, identification of new markets, constraints on
modernisation & expansion, non availability of highly skilled labour at affordable cost, follow
up with various government agencies to resolve problems, etc. More recently, the MSME
Association/Chambers feel that the global recession, inflation and depreciation of the rupee
is affecting them adversely.
7. I would now like to highlight some of the major constraints faced by the MSME
sector and the important measures taken by Government of India and Reserve Bank of India
to address them:
(i) Access to credit
Access to timely and adequate credit is critical for MSMEs growth and development. To
ensure enhanced credit flow to the sector, and more so to the micro units, in terms of the
recommendations of the Prime Minister's Task Force on MSMEs (Chairman: Shri T.K.A.Nair,
Principal Secretary, Government of India) constituted by the Government of India, banks
have been advised to achieve a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in credit to micro and small
enterprises; the allocation of 60% of the MSE advances to the micro enterprises is to be
achieved in stages viz. 50% in the year 2010-11, 55% in the year 2011-12 and 60% in the
year 2012-13 and achieve a 10% annual growth in number of micro enterprise accounts.
The Reserve Bank is closely monitoring the achievement of targets by banks on a quarterly
basis. The matter is followed up with the laggard banks to know their constraints and impress
upon them the need to devise strategies to gear up the credit mechanism for the sector.
While the banks have achieved the target of 20% y-o-y growth in credit to the sector the
target for the micro units is still an area of concern. The banks have been advised to device
strategies to step up their lending to micro units.
I would, however, like to clarify to the MSME units, the difference between credit and money
which should be clearly understood. Unlike money, credit has to be self-liquidating on a
viable project and has a cost. It is to be appreciated that banks are highly leveraged bodies
that lend money placed by depositors with them and therefore, have to practice prudent
lending and be cautious and sure of the safety of the money of their depositors. On the cost
of credit, while interest rates have been deregulated by Reserve Bank of India, my message
to the MSME sector is that as interest costs are a very small fraction of their operating costs,
only approximately 4%, do not ask for low interest rates from the banking sector, and instead
ask for credit at competitive rates.
Further, the extent of financial exclusion in the sector is very high as shown in Chart 1.2
below.
The statistics compiled in the Fourth Census of MSME sector September 2009 revealed that
only 5.18% of the units (both registered and unregistered) had availed of finance through
institutional sources, 2.05% had finance from non-institutional sources the majority of units
i.e. 92.77% had no finance or depended on self finance.
Chart 1.2
Financial Exclusion in MSME Sector
th
Source: Highlights of 4 Census on MSMEs
There is, therefore, a need to ensure access of banking facilities in the remote
unbanked/under banked areas. Financial inclusion, including MSME finance and the drive to
universal access is the national mandate. Financial inclusion makes growth broad based and
sustainable by progressively encompassing the hitherto excluded population.
With an objective of ensuring uniform progress in provision of banking services in all parts of
the country, banks were advised to draw up a roadmap to provide banking services through
a banking outlet in every unbanked village having a population of over 2,000 by March 2012.
The Reserve Bank advised banks that such banking services need not necessarily be
extended through a brick and mortar branch but could be provided also through any of the
various forms of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based models, including
Banking Correspondents (BCs). About 74,000 such unbanked villages have been identified
and allotted to various banks through State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs). As at the
end of September 2011, as reported by the State Level Bankers' Committees of various
states/Union Territories, banking outlets have been opened in 42,079 villages across the
various States in the country. This comprises of 1127 branches, 39998 business
correspondents and 954 other modes like rural ATMs, mobile vans etc. In addition, the
Reserve Bank of India has advised banks to roll out the Financial Inclusion Plans (FIP) for
drawing up an action plan to provide banking facilities in villages with population less than
2000 through multiple channels.
(ii) Need for venture / risk capital
Venture /Risk capital is often a more appropriate financing instrument for
high-growthpotential and start-up SMEs. Although MSMEs commonly use traditional debt, this type of
financing is often not accessible for fast-growth and start-up firms. During their initial phase,
firms need finance to study, assess and develop an initial concept (seed phase) or for
product development and initial marketing (start-up phase). At this stage, firms may be in the
process of being set up or may exist, but have yet to sell their product or service
commercially. High-growth firms usually develop an idea, concept or product that requires an
incubation period before generating revenues and profits. Firms, typically, look for venture
capital to provide them with the financing they need to expand or break into new markets and
grow faster. Thus, the ability of MSMEs (especially those involving innovations and new
technologies) to access alternative sources of capital like angel funds/risk capital needs to be
enhanced considerably. For this purpose, removing fiscal/regulatory impediments to the use
of such funds by the MSMEs should be considered on priority. The Government of India, in
terms of the recommendations of the PM's Task Force on MSMEs, is looking into the area.
(iii) Access to equity capital
Access to Equity capital is a genuine problem. At present, there is almost negligible flow of
equity capital into this sector. Absence of equity capital may pose a serious challenge to
development of knowledge-based industries, particularly those that are sought to be
promoted by the first-generation entrepreneurs with the requisite expertise and knowledge.
There is a demand for a dedicated Exchange for MSMEs and SEBI has permitted BSE and
NSE to set up an Exchange for MSMEs in terms of the recommendations of the PM's Task
Force on MSMEs.
(iv) Need for skilled labour
The sector often feels the constraint of non-availability of skilled labour. It is indeed ironic that
in a nation of more than a billion individuals, skilled labour is cited as scarce. In this regard, I
feel that we are a very young nation - just over 64 years since independence - setting out on
a path of sustained economic growth, for decades to come. As per the National Commission
on Population, the age-wise distribution of the population of India is going to change
significantly in the coming years. By 2016, approximately 50 per cent of the total population
will be in the age group of 15-25 years. Thus, there would be a tremendous increase in the
number of youth entering the education and job market in the ensuing years. On an average,
it is estimated that around 1.5 crore persons per annum would enter the employment market
during the next 30 years. Each person, in this bold new generation, will be in the prime of his
or her life, striving for a better tomorrow - creating, in the process, new growth opportunities,
for budding entrepreneurs! We need to capitalize on this unique demographic advantage. At
present, there are various organizations at the national and State levels offering support to
entrepreneurs in various ways. The Government of India and various State governments
have been implementing a number of schemes and programs over the years. The Rural Self
Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) are working in this direction. There is, however, a
need to examine the impact of RSETIs.
(v) Factoring to tackle delayed realization of receivables
Considerable delay in settlement of dues/payment of bills by the large-scale buyers to the
MSMEs units adversely affects the recycling of funds and business operation of MSME units.
Though the Government has enacted the Delayed Payments Act, 1998 many of the MSME
units are reluctant to pursue cases against major buyers. After the enactment of the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED), Act 2006, the existing provisions of
the Interest on Delayed Payment Act, 1998 to Small Scale and Ancillary Industrial
Undertakings, have been strengthened. The banks have been advised by Reserve Bank of
India to sanction separate sub-limits within the overall limits sanctioned to the corporate
borrowers for meeting payment obligations in respect of purchases from MSME sector. In
practice, however, the legislation did not improve the position of MSEs because of their
dependence on large businesses for continued business. This problem has to be
institutionally tackled by factoring and banks should provide such services particularly for
MSMEs. To facilitate factoring services the Government has recently passed the Factoring
Regulation Bill that would address delays in payment and liquidity problems of micro and
small enterprises. Factoring provides liquidity to small and medium enterprises against their
receivables from customers and is regarded as a cash management tool. Besides, factors
would be entitled to take legal recourse for recovering assigned debt and receivables from
buyers of goods and services. The Factoring Bill creates the legislative environment for
factoring and makes the process easier.
(vi) Sickness
Growing incidence of sickness of SSIs is yet another area of concern. When the sickness
prolongs it leads to the closure of units and unemployment. The mortality of the SSI units is
high. This has wider implications including locking of funds of the lending institutions, loss of
scarce material resources and loss of employment. The data showing the position of sick
small and micro enterprises as at the end of March 2010 & 11 is given below:
(Amount in Rs. crore)
End of Total No. of Sick Potentially Non-Viable Viability yet to Units put under
Units Viable be decided nursing
Units O/S Units O/S Units O/S Units O/S Units O/ S
March 77723 5233.15 9160 964.75 64403 3891.33 4160 377.03 2360 478.84
2010
March 90141 5211.25 7118 1112.98 76518 3589.12 6505 509.15 4698 518.30
2011
The number of units identified as potentially viable as a percentage to total sick MSE units is
around 8% whereas the number of sick units found unviable was as high as 85%. The units
placed under nursing as a proportion to the total number of sick units stood at 5.22%. I would
like to emphasize that timely detection of sickness is critical as any delays in this regard
makes the possibilities of its revival of potentially viable sick units recede. As any other
sickness, the need for timely treatment after identification of sickness cannot be
overemphasized in MSMEs. In order to hasten the process of identification of a unit as sick,
a proposal for modifying the extant definition of sickness, in line with the recommendations of
the Working Group on Rehabilitation of sick SMEs, is under consideration of the Reserve
Bank of India. For viable units, timely and effective rehabilitation by way of renegotiations of
terms of loans, induction of fresh dose of funds, business restructuring, change of
management etc. may become necessary. The process should not only be quick, efficient,
cheap and fair to all stakeholders but also acceptable to and implementable by all, with
necessary monitoring arrangements for implementation of the same. In case the unit is not
found viable, recovery of the dues of lenders through a fair, efficient and swift legal
mechanism should be the focus. As it is observed that rehabilitation of sick micro, small and
medium enterprises could not be taken up due to non-availability of promoters' contribution in
a large number of cases, we have recommended to the GOI to set up a Rehabilitation Fund
for rehabilitation of sick MSMEs.
All Scheduled Commercial Banks have also been advised on May 4, 2009, to review and put
in place MSE Loan policy, Restructuring / rehabilitation policy and Non-discretionary One
Time settlement scheme for recovery of non-performing loans, duly approved by their Board
of Directors. Banks were advised in December 2009 to give wide publicity to the
Nondiscretionary One Time Settlement scheme for recovery of non-performing loans for the MSE
sector by placing it on their bank's web-site and through other possible modes of
dissemination.
(vii) Exit policy for MSMEs
An exit route for non-viable units is necessary to manage sickness. Worldwide, MSMEs are
credited with high level of innovation and creativity, which also leads to higher level of
failures. Keeping this in view, most of the countries have put in place mechanisms to handle
insolvencies and bankruptcies. The present mechanism available in India for MSMEs is
archaic. Business failure in India is viewed as a stigma, which adversely impacts individual
creativity and development in the country. The existing legislations may have to be toned up
so as to provide for efficient liquidation of non-viable businesses.
(viii) Infrastructure
To ensure competitiveness of the MSEs, it is essential that the availability of infrastructure,
technology and skilled manpower are in tune with the global trends. MSEs are either located
in industrial estates set up many decades ago, or have come up in an unorganized manner
in rural areas. The state of infrastructure, including power, water, roads, etc. in such areas is
inadequate and unreliable. Further, the MSE sector in India, with some exceptions, is
characterized by low technology levels, which acts as a handicap in the emerging global
market. Technological upgradation of the units would help in enhancing capacity and
increase supplies which would also help to combat inflation. Need for marketing, research
etc. is also critical. The Prime Minister's Task Force on MSMEs recommended several
measures having a bearing on the functioning of MSMEs, viz., credit, marketing, labour, exit
policy, infrastructure/technology/skill development and taxation. The comprehensive
recommendations cover measures that need immediate action as well as medium term
institutional measures along with legal and regulatory structures and recommendations for
North-Eastern States and Jammu & Kashmir. The implementation of the recommendations,
in a time bound manner, is being monitored by Government of India at the highest level.
Global slowdown and MSMEs
8. The recent past has been a challenging time for both the bankers and the MSME
sector due to recession in many countries of the globe and depreciation of the rupee. The
recession has led to slowing down of the global demand for goods and services. But I would
urge upon the entrepreneurs to tap the huge demand in the local markets. MSMEs are the
best vehicle to create local demand and consumption and also to fight with the global
meltdown. The depreciation of the rupee has made the price of the products of exporting
firms in the sector more competitive.
Role of banks
9. Banks have a vital role to play in addressing several problems faced by the sector
today. Banks have to view themselves not just as providers of credit but as partners in the
growth of these enterprises, through a process of hand holding of first generation
entrepreneurs, while they find their feet in the business. In financial management MSE
enterprises do not have the size to support the competence they need. Operational skills,
including accounting and finance, business planning, marketing and human resource
management, etc. can often pose a challenge and necessitate support for the MSE
borrowers. Typically, for instance, they operate with a woefully low productivity of capital and
have either too little or too much cash. The tools for doing this work are fully developed
e.g. cash-flow forecast and cash flow management. The financial management needs of
these businesses are predictable. And worldwide they fall into a small number of categories,
well-known to any experienced banker. The rewards for building a firm providing these small
businesses with financial management might be enormous. Banks should therefore, provide
financial consultancy / financial management services to their MSE borrowers to give them
holistic guidance and support and nurturing them. Banks could set up special industrial and
management consultancy departments to address functional inadequacies and market gaps.
Bank branches need to ensure greater participation in the affairs of their MSME clients by
convergence of credit services and non credit services. But for this, bank staff should be
trained through customised training programmes to meet the specific needs of MSEs such as
knowledge of markets, both domestic and global, use of technology, etc. Banks need to
innovate to create products specifically suited to the requirements of MSMEs and should
take a longer term view of its relationship with such entities while pricing such products.
As the availability of timely and adequate credit is a key requirement for this sector, banks
should introduce single window facility for providing loans to MSMEs. For this purpose, they
can set up Centralized Processing Centres specifically to cater to such clients, which will
handle the appraisal, sanction, documentation, monitoring, renewal and enhancement
activities. As in any area, there would be a higher failure rate for start-up MSMEs. However,
despite the risk, the financing of these enterprises is a must for ensuring inclusive growth.
Banks will, therefore, be required to build up their risk assessment and risk management
capabilities and provide for any instances of failures as a part of their risk mitigation process.
I would also urge upon the Top Management of banks to put in place a credible, proactive
and a functional monitoring mechanism to review the progress in actual concrete outcomes.
Bank staff has to be sensitive to the need to nurture these enterprises and to ensure that
they get the necessary support during the initial phase. The performance of branch
managers in dealing with the sector should be included as a criterion for evaluation of their
performance.
Role of MSME associations / chambers
10. The MSME Associations and Chambers have an important role to play in stepping
up credit to this segment. They need to proactively engage themselves in organising
workshops and training programs for their members to enlighten them about cash flow
cycles, various financial products, accounting practices, etc. In this regard, the MSME
Associations, Chambers of Commerce, etc. may like to collaborate with banks, NIBM or any
other training institute in the area of banking and finance, basic accountancy and information
technology for MSEs. I appreciate the effort of the SME Chambers in organizing this
Conclave. I would, however, urge upon the Industry Associations to play a more proactive
role and bring forward specific cases where the MSME entrepreneurs are facing problems in
accessing credit through the banking channels. Such issues could be discussed and
resolved in such a forum. Even if we can resolve ten percent of the cases of genuine
problems being faced by a MSME entrepreneur, I would feel that such conclaves have been
successful. By doing so, the industry associations can bridge the gap between banks and
individual firms in reaching of objectives such as addressing problems common to all
members, stimulating cooperative action among manufacturers and providing access to
resources aimed at assisting manufacturers.
11. MSMEs should understand that banks are responsible to their depositors and
shareholders and, therefore, they, i.e. the MSEs, as customers of bank credit, have certain
obligations to fulfill by way of repaying bank loans, maintaining proper books of accounts,
submitting information correctly and more importantly, sharing information about financial
problems when these arise so that they can work together with the bank in resolving these. It
is in the interest of MSEs, to get themselves rated by independent rating agencies, as it
could enable them to negotiate with their bankers for interest rate reduction, larger loan size
or even obtain faster processing of their loan applications etc. MSEs need to be aware that if
they default and their credit history is poor they will find it difficult to access bank finance, as
banks have been mandated by RBI to pass on all credit history of their clients to CIBIL or any
other credit bureau registered with RBI.
12. Further, senior-level representatives of SME/SSI Associations in each State are
members of the Empowered Committee set up by RBI at each of its regional offices, with the
SLBC Convenor, representatives of banks having predominant share in SME financing in the
State, SIDBI, Director of Industries of the State Government etc., are also members. MSE
Associations need to use this Forum not only for removing bottlenecks in the smooth flow of
credit to the sector and for reviewing the accessibility of bank finance to more and more
MSEs, but also highlight gaps if any in the attitude and skills at the bank branch level. I would
urge upon the Industry Associations/Chambers to take up region-specific issues relating to
MSEs with the concerned Regional Director of Reserve Bank of India and the SLBC
convener banks. Such issues that cannot be resolved at regional office level could be
brought to the notice of central office of RBI. They could also spread awareness of the
Government Schemes and Code of Bank's Commitment to MSEs among their members.
Lastly, the success stories of micro and small enterprises may be widely disseminated as it
would inspire others to strive for excellence and thus contribute towards achieving greater
heights in building a strong and prosperous India. The new entrepreneurs could also take a
cue from the mistakes of their experienced counterparts and ensure not to repeat the same.
A piece of advice
13. While I have sought to highlight the expectations from various stakeholders in
supporting the growth of MSMEs, it is important to remember that individual MSMEs,
themselves, have to constantly seek to transform themselves, in line with changing
environmental factors, to ensure that they end up among the success stories instead of the
failures. I have, in the past also, drawn from the famed management thinker Peter F. Drucker's
writings to highlight four typical mistakes that entrepreneurs need to avoid as they develop their
businesses. These are, particularly relevant for MSMEs during the growth phase. These
include the need to be open to potential new/unintended markets or applications for products
developed by companies; the need to focus on cash flows instead of focusing only on profits as
these are the lifeline that keeps the company going; creating a management team as the
business develops; and lastly, the need to constantly ask the question that what the business
needs at this stage and whether one is concentrating on the right things.
Conclusion
14. Let me conclude by restating the fact that MSMEs will continue to play a very
important and vital role in our economy where the twin problems of unemployment and
poverty constitute a major developmental challenge. In fact, if India were to have a growth
rate of 8-10 percent for the next couple of decades, it needs a strong micro, small and
medium sector. MSMEs are the best vehicle for inclusive growth, to create local demand and
consumption. The MSMEs of yesterday are the large corporates of today and could be
MNCs of tomorrow. Thus, the banks and other agencies should take pride while servicing the
MSMEs as they are playing an instrumental role in the formation of MNCs of tomorrow.
MSMEs themselves have to be on their toes, in this rapidly changing business environment,
and keep evolving to stay clear of all the potential pitfalls that confront them in their progress
from small enterprises to large corporations.
I look forward to your feedback in creating an enabling environment for the promotion of
MSMEs in the country.
Thank You.
References:
1. Peter F. Drucker: "Managing in the next Society", Truman Talley Books, St. Martin's
Press, New York.
2. Report of the PM's Task Force on MSMEs, January 2010 (Chairman: Shri T.K.A.Nair)
3. Report of the Working Group on Rehabilitation of sick SMEs (Chairman:
Dr.K.C.Chakrabarty)
4. RBI Annual Reports