NEW
DELHI: The government of India plans to launch a toll-free
helpline for small and medium businesses, which would offer
assistance on issues like taxation, finance, laws, marketing and
other relevant topics.
This was disclosed by Mr Dinesh Rai, Secretary,
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Government
of India, at a conference on Information, Communication and
Technology (ICT) for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Reiterating the government's commitment to SMEs, Mr
Rai said, "The toll-free helpline is part of our resolve to
assist SMEs in day-to-day operations, finance, marketing, legal,
banking and taxation domains." Rai also underlined a plan to
run a National Skill and Development Centre (NSDC) to create a
robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.
Highlighting the plight of SMEs, Founder and CEO
of IndiaMART.com, Dinesh Agarwal appealed to the government to
minimize redtapism, encourage single-window clearance mechanisms,
rationalize tax regimes and adopt a proactive strategy aimed at
education and evangelism for SMEs. He also lamented the issue of
technology providers trying to push highly-priced products and
solutions to SMEs, which are beyond their budgets. "If SMEs are
not provided with timely help, we will run the risk of a fall in
exports and a resultant fall in GDP," said Mr. Agarwal.
Painting a bullish picture about India's future,
Gurmukh Singh, Head, Business Marketing, Intel, South Asia, exhorted
the SME sector to be ready when exponential growth in India's online
universe throws up big possibilities.
"By 2012, India will get 511 million internet
users and small businesses should be ready for it. Intel is already
offering solutions and assistance which SMEs can make use of even
today," Mr. Singh said. Mr. Ramraj Pai, Director, SME Ratings,
CRISIL, seconded Singh and favoured SMEs embracing a
credibility-driven approach which can differentiate their
businesses.
Mr. Rajiv Sodhi, Director, Emerging Geographies,
Microsoft India, educated the audience on the power of ICT for
innovation and acceleration of business in time of recession.
Speaking on the much-publicised 'Project Vikas', Sodhi reiterated
Microsoft's commitment to help SMEs, by offering tailormade software
solutions to aid in operations, maximising revenues and creating
relationships with customers and partners.
