Promotional Schemes

To meet the challenges of international competition and to promote exports of SSI products, following promotional schemes are also being implemented.

                                            v.Technology Development and Modernization Fund Scheme

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has been implementing a scheme of technology development and modernisation of SSI units with effect from April, 1995. Under this scheme assistance is available for meeting the expenditure on purchase of capital equipment, acquisition of technical know-how, upgradation of process technology and products with thrust on quality improvement, improvement of packaging and cost of TQM and acquisition of ISO-9000 series certification. The coverage of the scheme has been enlarged from export oriented units to non-exporting units also in September, 1997. Under this Scheme a sum of Rs. 152 crores has been sanctioned for 245 units by April, 1999.

                                          vi.Quality Awareness Scheme

Small Industries Service Institutes organising Workshop on ISO-9000 certification and awareness about quality.

                                         vii.Subsidy for obtaining ISO-9000 quality Certification

Under the scheme of promoting ISO-9000 certification SSIs are given financial support by way of reimbursing 75% of their expenditure to obtain ISO-9000 certification subject to a maximum of Rs.75,000/-. The scheme is being continued during Tenth Plan.

                                       viii.Other Schemes for technology improvement

Tool Rooms:

Tool Rooms provide toolings, dies, moulds and fixtures to small scale units at a very low price to enable them to produce quality goods to meet the requirements of supplies of components to large units as well as produce quality goods for direct sale. This enhances their competitiveness and export potentials. There are 10 Tool Rooms established in various parts of the country.

Process-cum-Product Development Centres :

There are 6 Process-cum-Product Development Centres. These Centres take up jobs from SSIs for specific product development as well process development to improve the quality of products, reduce cost of product and enhance marketability of goods.
These Centers deal with specific product groups.

UPTECH:

A new scheme for technology upgradation for industrial clusters has been started recently. 10 clusters of industries producing different groups in various parts of country have been selected. The scheme aims at diagnostic study of the clusters, identification of technological needs, technological intervention and wider dissemination of information and technology within the clusters. The expenditure involved on pilot plants etc. Is to be met on 50:50 cost sharing basis by the Government and the concerned Industry Association of the clusters. The scheme is flexible and provides for smooth sourcing of technology even from abroad.

National Small Industries Corporation

The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) through its export development programme is playing a vital role to promote the SSI sector in exporting their products/projects in international, markets by providing following assistance to the small enterprises.

Marketing and Promotion

- Organising International Exhibitions
- Organising and participation in Buyers-Sellers meet
- Sponsoring delegation from different SSI sectors to various countries
- Providing information related to sales opportunities available in international market
- Product specific catalogue preparation
- Advertising and publicity in various countries through Indian High
- Commissions, Offices abroad and Internet
- Publication of Exporters Directory
- Participating in Global Tenders
- Providing assistance in deemed exports
- Organisation of Seminars and Workshops to upgrade and update SSI with regard to international developments.

Financial Assistance

- Pre and Post Shipment finance at concessional rate of interest
- Financial assistance for procurement of indigenous and imported raw material
- Financial assistance for upgradition and modernisation of SSI unit
- Assisting in the process of claiming exports incentives

Technical Assistance

- Laboratory and Testing assistance for improving quality of products
- Providing assistance in packaging
- Providing assistance for obtaining, inspection documents
- Conducting various programmes related to technology upgradation
- Assisting SSI Sector in Technology assimilation
- Imparting technical training

Effecting product improvements

NSIC has been instrumental in developing a large number of small scale units to export high quality products such as builders hardware, locks, light engineering products, giftware and novelties, readymade garments and textile products.

Following activities are also undertaken by NSIC for Export Promotion through SSI

- Study visit to various developed countries to identify the product range and their market demand.
- Arrange visits of delegations consisting of representatives of small scale industries/Associations to different specialises exhibitions and buyers-sellers meets.
- Collect samples during the above export promotion visits and to identify suitable small scale suppliers to develop counter samples.
- NSIC has already opened two offices abroad at South Africa and Dubai, U.A.E. These offices will be utilised for generation of business for the small scale sector.
- Publication of a directory of identified products and possible buyers for circulation to the small scale industries.

For further details please  visit http://nsic.nic.in