'Lack of integrated approach cripples SSI growth in India'

Bangalore, May 24 (UNI) Lack of integrated approach by Small Scale Industries (SSI), which had failed to upgrade its technology as per the industrial needs, had crippled the growth of the sector in the country, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Managing Director A K Saxena opined today.

Speaking at a leadership summit with a special focus on SSI here, he said the Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should take a cue from the Korean ones which had brought about an industrial revolution in that country by forging successful partnerships with major industries.

Mr Saxena said the globalisation process and WTO pact had posed a major challenge to the SME sector. Both the Government and industrialists should make concerted efforts to bring about industrial clustering and improve production and marketing methedologies.

''The aircraft and avionics industry in the country will see a great surge in the coming years as top aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, Rolls Royce, Honeywell and Lockheed had evinced keen interest in setting up shops, mainly overhauling facilities. This is the time for the SME sector to come out of its nutshell, brace itself up, set up ancilliary units and produce high quality spares and other products. Otherwise, the foreign companies will look abroad to get them,'' he said.

Karnataka SSI Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said the SSI sector would have to perform better to stand up to the competition posed by foreign companies. They should explore possibilities for increasing exports, especially to countries in Africa, Eastern Europe and West Asia where Indian products were received well.

The summit was organised by the Centre for Bharatiya Marketing Development and FKCCI.

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