MSME Taken Several Steps To Increase MSMEs’ Engagement In E-commerce

E-Commerce is widely considered as a medium to reduce costs related to penetration and sustainability of exporters in international markets. Indian MSMEs stand to benefit from the enhanced visibility provided by e-commerce platforms. Improved infrastructure, competitive pricing and reduced costs associated with marketing and outreach of products over a digital platform contribute to promoting online sales.

The Indian government has made a number of steps to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) increase their exports (MSMEs). Efforts under the Make in India programme, the Promotion of Ease of Doing Business, enhanced finance availability through MUDRA, and Stand up India are among them. Furthermore, the Ministry of MSME has established 52 Export Facilitation Centers (EFCs) across the country with the goal of providing requisite mentoring and handholding support to MSEs in exporting their products and services to foreign markets; and 102 Enterprise Development Centers (EDCs) with the goal of building a network of entrepreneurial leaders by providing professional mentoring and handholding support to existing as well as aspiring MSMEs with specific needs. These EDCs act as “One-stop-shop” and provide services under components including Awareness, Incubation, Enterprise Facilitation etc. In addition to these, Ministry is also implementing International Cooperation Scheme for enhancing the marketability of products and services in the MSME sector by facilitating visit /participation of MSMEs in international exhibitions /trade fairs/buyer-seller meet etc. abroad and also holding International conferences/seminars/workshops in India, for technology infusion, exploring business opportunities, joint ventures etc. Also, Cluster Development Programme is being implemented by Office of Development Commissioner (MSME) for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to increase demand of domestic products in global markets.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has made a number of steps to increase MSMEs’ engagement in e-commerce, including:

• PMS (Procurement and Marketing Support) Program: The sub-component “Adoption of e-Commerce by Micro Enterprises” has been added to this Scheme. This new component provides financial aid for Micro Enterprises offering items or services through e-commerce platforms (up to 10 new products).
• National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) portal: MSME Global Mart Portal (www.msmemart.com), a B2B e-commerce marketing platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), has been launched by NSIC, a PSU under the Ministry of MSME. It provides Global Trade Leads, Tender Information, Franchise Opportunities, Data on Used Machineries, and other services.
• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) e-commerce portal: KVIC, a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, has also created a B2C outreach portal, ekhadiindia.com, that allows all businesses to access a worldwide audience with interactivity, immediacy, and ease of adaptation.

Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, provided this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.