PrashantNews
Nearly 25 percent of the registered 58,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uttarakhand are struggling for survival threatening the jobs of the people employed in these units, a new study has said.
The study conducted by the MSME Export Promotion Council, an NGO, has suggested establishing Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs) to facilitate development of entrepreneurs into full fledged, self-sustaining enterprises and provide technical know-how, managerial skill, filling up the knowledge gap.
The MEME EPC Chairman Dr D S Rawat said currently MSME clusters are inadequately equipped in areas such as tool rooms, innovation centres, testing facilities etc, therefore these clusters should be encouraged to collaborate with companies having innovation infrastructure.
Since MSMEs lack expertise in product development, technology adoption and marketing strategy, the MSME EPC Chief Dr Rawat recommended building networks of development service providers that can provide customized solutions in the area of technology, product development and marketing techniques, and use of technology to get timely affordable finance.
He further said the information has been based on the report of the Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) as on 1st January 2025.
With a view to boost tourism traffic in the state and enrich the quality and content of tourism products, the study has stressed the need to develop and promote attractive package tours, with the help of private sector tour operators and travel agencies.
Dr Rawat said, the tourism industry in Uttarakhand is extremely important and has tremendous potential to stimulate the economic growth of the state. Therefore, the state government should develop the tourism infrastructure and maintain tourist destinations, airports, railway stations, etc. This will benefit small businesses in tourist areas from the influx of tourists.
Referring to agriculture, the study says, making the agri sector sustainable in hills is a huge challenge. Majority of the people have migrated to metro cities. Moreover, wild animals have become uncontrollable and are harming not only agriculture but human lives. Therefore, the state government must implement its declared policy of “Uttarakhand Organic” . So far, Dr Rawat lamented, no concrete measures have been taken either to promote organic farming or horticulture.
In the absence of the private investment flowing in to generate jobs for the local people, the MSME EPC suggests engaging expert associations to provide training to farmers, educate them on seeds, certification and marketing nationally and internationally.
The study said Uttarakhand has attracted, government as well as private sector, an investment of Rs 33,737 crore in new projects during 2023-24 and majorly in infrastructure (highways) as against the new projects in 2022-23 of Rs.11818 crore.
The projects completed during the period were of Rs.1463 crore. While the investment projects completed during this period were of Rs.2837 crore, the projects outstanding were of Rs 283528 crore, the projects under implementation were of Rs.159987 crore.