Union govt to create technology bank for SMEs

Kolkata, Apr 29: Union Ministry of Small Scale Industries Secretary Anupam Dasgupta said today the Centre will create a technology bank for the Small and Medium Enterprises in all the states, including West Bengal.

Addressing a seminar on Implications of the SME bill' organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Mr Dasgupta said, ''This bank will provide necessary linkages to ensure that the SME units get proper technological help.'' A comprehensive business model for manufacturing products and marketing would be developed in this bank in every state with the help of the state and union government and small scale development organisations, he said.

''In West Bengal I have asked my department to select ten important manufacturing products in each district and frame business model for those items with assistance from Small Industries Development Institute, Tool Room, the state and the Union Small Scale Industries Ministry,'' Mr Dasgupta said.

Almost 11 months back in May 2005, the Union government had placed the SME Bill in Parliament to make this sector competitive.

The bill was then send to the Parliamentary Standing Committee after consultation with various stakeholders had put forward several recommendations and was recently notified.

UNI