SMEs provide employment for 36 lakh people

Chennai, Feb 12 (UNI) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India have been providing employment for more than 36 lakh people in the country.

According to statistics released by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here today, nearly about 5.16 lakh Small Scall Industrial (SSI) units have been registered so far in the country by providing employment for more than 36 lakh individuals.

The total investment in these units was more than Rs 16,199 crore.

About 8000 products were produced in these units with an overall industrial share value of 39 per cent.

With a contribution of 39 per cent to the country's industrial output and 35 per cent to direct exports, the SME sector has estimated that an investment of Rs 1 million in fixed assets in the small scale sector products Rs 4.62 million worth of goods or services with an approximate value addition of 10 per cent points.

The number of SSI units has increased from an estimated 0.87 million units in the year 1980-81 to over three million in the year 2000.

UNI