Lok Sabha Question No. 3253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: International Cooperation Scheme
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, Ms. S Jothimani

- 3253.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2025

## INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION SCHEME

DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:

MS. S JOTHIMANI:

DR. DHARAMVIRA GANDHI:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the global competitiveness of MSMEs;
- (b) the progress made under the International Cooperation Scheme;
- (c) the total financial assistance provided under export promotion schemes for MSMEs during the last year;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to increase MSMEs contribution to GDP;
- (e) the challenges faced by MSMEs in accessing global markets; and
- (f) the manner in which the Government plans to address them?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a): Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has developed a support system towards export promotion by setting up 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) in its field offices namely, MSME Development and Facilitation Offices, MSME Technology Centres and MSME Testing Centres. These EFCs handhold  the  MSMEs  by  providing  MSMEs  with  support  in  documentation,  market  access,  financing, technology adoption and training.

Other initiatives for helping MSMEs to grow their business globally include Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI) which facilitates  participation  of  Indian  Exporters  in  exhibitions,  buyer  seller  meets,  fairs  etc.  Initiatives  like Districts  as  Export  hubs  identify  export  potential,  address  bottlenecks  and  supports  local  exporters  / manufacturers. The Trade Connect e Platform is an information and intermediation platform on international trade, which provides comprehensive services for both new and existing exporters.

(b): Under  the  International  Cooperation  (IC)  Scheme    of  Ministry  of  MSME,  financial  assistance  is provided  on  reimbursement  basis  to  the  eligible  Central  /  State  Government  organizations  and  Industry Associations to facilitate participation of MSMEs in international exhibitions and fairs held abroad; and for organizing international conference in India with the aim of knowledge sharing, good practices etc. Under the  Capacity  Building  of  First  Time  Exporters  (CBFTE)  component  of  IC  Scheme,  assistance  on reimbursement basis is provided to new Micro & Small Enterprises (MSE) exporters for Registration-cumMembership Certification (RCMC) with EPCs, Export Insurance Premium and testing & quality certification for products.

(c): During the  Financial  year  2023-24,  545  MSMEs  were  assisted  at  a  cost  of  Rs.  19.22  crore  under International Co-operation Scheme of Ministry of MSME.

(d): Government has taken a number of initiatives to support the MSMEs, some of which are:

- (i)   New criteria for classification of MSMEs with higher threshold, based on Investment and Turnover to widen the ambit of the MSME sector, notified on 26.06.2020.
- (i) No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crore
- (ii) 'Udyam Registration' for MSMEs, for ease of doing Business, launched on 01.07.2020.
- (iii) Inclusion of Retail and Wholesale traders as MSMEs w.e.f. 02.07.2021 for credit purpose.
- (iv) Non-tax benefits extended for 3 years in case of an upward change in status of                 MSMEs.
- (v) Launch of Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) to bring the Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) under the formal ambit for availing the benefit under Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
- (vi) Launch of SAMADHAAN Portal for filing of grievances and monitoring of outstanding dues to the Micro and Small Enterprises from the buyers of goods and services.
- (vii) Launch  of  an  online  Portal  "Champions"  in  June,  2020  to  cover  many  aspects  of  e-governance including redressing grievances and handholding of MSMEs.

(e) and (f): To  support    the  MSMEs  in  accessing  global  market,  the  Government  has  taken  following measures:

- (i) Ministry of MSME has set up a dedicated support system for export promotion by setting up 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs). These EFCs support MSMEs by disseminating information on various Schemes and supports available for the MSMEs for enhancing their  assisting exports,  in linking them with financial institutions such as NBFCs, new fintech start-ups etc, to avail credit at competitive rates etc.
- (ii)    'MSME  Champions'  Scheme  with  three  sub  schemes,  MSME-Sustainable  (ZED)  Certification Scheme, MSME-Competitive  (LEAN)  Scheme  and  MSME-Innovative  Scheme  (Incubation, Design& IPR) is a holistic approach to unify, synergize and converge with various Schemes and interventions to enable MSMEs to become globally competitive.
- (iii)  Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme aims to provide support to Micro, Small and Medium enterprises through increased access to technological upgradation, market and credit by strengthening of Central and State agencies.
- (iv) Other initiatives for helping MSMEs to grow their business globally include Ministry of Commerce and Industry's schemes like the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) and Market Access Initiative  (MAI).    Under  MAI  Scheme  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  Export  Promotion Councils, State Bodies, Commodities' Boards etc for facilitating participation of Indian exporters including  MSMEs  in  exhibitions/fairs  abroad  for  showcasing  their  products  and  establishing business  contacts  with  foreign  buyers.  The  Trade  Connect  e-Platform  is  an  information  and intermediation platform on international trade, which provides comprehensive services for both new and existing exporters.

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