Go global with top class, eco-friendly products: Modi to MSMEs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called upon the entrepreneurs in the micro, small and medium sector (MSME) to manufacture quality products and ensure that they are environment-friendly as well.

Addressing a gathering on the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus here after giving away national awards to MSME entrepreneurs, Modi said that India's manufacturing sector should target the global market.

"We should encourage 'zero-defect, zero-effect' model of manufacturing to ensure that products are top quality and have no adverse impact on the environment. Even common people are not ready to compromise on quality today," Modi pointed out.

"In coming years, people in other countries will object to Indian products by linking those to environmental hazards. We must ensure that our manufacturing will have zero effect on environment," the Prime Minister emphasised.

He also said that India holds the promise to play a crucial role on the global stage in the future.

"India is the fastest growing economy among large economies. Only India is moving ahead and giving strength to the world economy despite the global slowdown since 2008. We want to encourage a network of small enterprises. Innovation is the key here. I lay a lot of emphasis on manufacturing sector. Our focus is also on start-ups," Modi pointed out.

He said that the central government is focusing on MSMEs and categories like women, Dalits, backward classes and poor to bring them into the manufacturing sector and make them self-reliant.

"Rs 200,000 crore has been distributed among nearly 3.5-3.75 crore manufacturers and start-ups in the past one-and-a-half years. This amount of Rs 200,000 crore has been given by banks without any guarantee. 70 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, Dalits and backward classes and poor," he said.

--IANS

js/nir/bg