MSMEs need e-tools for better marketing: Survey

Micro, small and medium enterprises account for 40 per cent of India's exports, but there's still no electronic database or service to market their products, the Economic Survey said today.     

It is understood that the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been affected due to the global downturn but the impact on the sector has not been assessed, the Economic Survey lamented.     

"While it is desirable to assess performance of the MSMEs against the recent developments (global downturn), limitations of data may not permit doing so," it noted.     

At the same breath, it expressed the hope that the fourth All India Census of MSMEs, being conducted, will create a database for the sector and provide a frame for tracking the future growth and development of the sector.     

It has suggested creation of an internet enabled data and information system to help the units market their goods and services across India and the world.     

Facing demand slowdown in global markets, entrepreneurs in the MSME sector are also complaining of lack of credit availability at affordable rate of interest.     

MSME Minister Dinsha Patel has said the government will address the credit needs of the sectors, while a separate fund for enterprises in the unorganised sector is proposed.     

Employing 42 million people, the the sector contributes about 45 per cent to the country's industrial output.