SSIs exports size to reach Rs 1,35,000cr by March, 2007: Assocham

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) The export size of the small scale industries (SSIs) sector will touch at Rs 1,35,000 crore by March 31, 2007, as the sector will grow at 11 per cent with 7.25 per cent contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), an industry chamber said today.

The study conducted by Assocham on 'SSI Impact on Indian Economy' said the contribution of SSI sector to national GDP during 2005-06 stood at 6.80 per cent, its contribution to overall industrial production was 39.5 per cent in the same period against the projected level of 7.25 per cent and 41.10 per cent respectively by March 31, 2007.

The study said the acceleration in economic activites will supply industrial inputs from the SSI sector in the remaining current fiscal, driving he growth of the sector.

Meanwhile, the employment figure estimated for SSI sector for current fiscal is estimated at 305 lakh by end of current fiscal.

The SSI sector provided employment opportunities both direct and indirect to 295.2 lakh people in fiscal 2005-06, the study said.

Total production at current prices will rise to Rs 5,40,000 crore by end of current fiscal against last fiscal production worth of Rs 4,70,966 crore, it said.

In 2005-06, the SSI sector produced goods and services that were measured at Rs 47,0966 crore with its total exports was estimated at Rs 1,24,416 crore.

The study said the growth rate of SSI sector stood at 10.01 per cent compared to growth rate of overall industrial sector at 8.6 per cent in fiscal 2005-06 which will grow at 11 per cent and 9.5 per cent towards the end of the current fiscal.

According to Assocham estimates, the credit disbursements to SSI sector in 2000 was Rs 46,045 crore, which rose to Rs 67,634 crore in 2005.

However, the share of net bank credit to SSI in 2000 was 14.6 per cent declined to 9.6 per cent by end of March 2005.

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