Piyush Goyal urges industry to make advance payments to pendemic-hit MSMEs

Says govt is striving to sign early harvest agreements with several countries; while FTA with UAE is nearing conclusion, talks with Australia for interim deal are at an advanced stage

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday urged industry leaders to make advance payments to small businesses that have already been hit by the ongoing pandemic.

Timely payment to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will help them in business continuity and boost employment and growth.

Goyal was speaking at a virtual meeting with heads of top industry associations to seek their suggestions and inputs to ensure quick rebound of economic activities to spur growth.

Pradeep Multani, President of industry lobby group PHDCCI Chambers, who was also at the meeting said in a statement that punitive measures may be