MAIT, in association with the Ministry of Communication & Information Technology and Ministry of MSMEs, has organized “MAIT ICT SME Conclave – 2014” in Thiruvananthapuram. The Conclave aims to create awareness among SMEs about the various initiatives, policies and schemes by the government.
As per the estimates of the Ministry of IT & Communications, the demand for IT hardware & electronics is expected to touch $400 billion by 2020 in India. With the current rate and base of domestic production, an expected $320 billion worth of IT hardware and electronics is expected to be imported into India to cater to this burgeoning demand.
Ajith S, Head – e-Governance, Kerala IT Mission, “SMEs are the backbone of our economy and have a crucial role to play in promoting inclusive growth at the grassroots level. Through various IT and e-Governance services, our aim is to create a platform for SMEs and young entrepreneurs in Kerala to innovate, contribute to the development of our economy and expand their business in a dynamic market situation. SMEs are an essential part of the government initiative to promote the use of IT in e-governance.”
In his address, Rahul Gupta, Chairman, SME Chapter, MAIT, said, “The government’s role in pushing the growth of the manufacturing sector and paving the way for the growth of SMEs cannot be undermined. By opening doors for investment in the country to domestic and international players, it aims to further give a boost to economic growth. However, some concrete SME-focussed initiatives are still awaited. What is required is the right mix of government intervention for creating a market for locally-manufactured products and freedom, which could lead to the creation of dynamic exporting SMEs.”
MAIT has also introduced a website catering to the various information needs of the SMEs. This portal would give the best opportunity for SMEs to showcase their solutions to a wide audience. It aims to create ample B2B opportunities within SMEs.
The MAIT SME Conclave offers a single window for all the MSMEs to connect with each other and various government bodies, thereby highlighting their key issues related to the policy framework, funding, etc and getting a better understanding of various schemes and opportunities on offer that can be utilized for the benefit of the industry. It aimed to equip the SMEs to prepare themselves thoroughly for evaluating the business opportunities and take necessary actions in developing their enterprises with the help of IT to achieve business goals.
