(Rahul Kumar, Senior Journalist and Media Columnist, New Delhi)
On 28th July, ASAPP- Info Global Group, Mumbai held IPF SME Forum at The Metropolitan Hotel, New Delhi. ASAPP has been producing several magazines catering to the needs of the industry, particularly to SMEs. Industrial Products Finder is the magazine printed since 1972 which carry the information about the manufacturers and suppliers of various products across India.
Shri Partap Padode, Editor –in –chief, Industrial Product Finder (IPF) welcomed the participants and the media persons. Sh. Padode during his welcome address informed about the aims and objectives of IPE is to promote SMEs and to contribute to the economy of the country. He also emphasized that there is a lot of scope for SMEs in the country to grow after the simplification of rules and regulations through the digitized system.
Shri Bhaskar Narang, a retired Principal Executive Director, Railway Board in his presentation themed on “ SMEs and Public Procurement “explained about the various opportunities available in the Indian Railways for the vendors. ‘After introduction of E-tendering, the methods of procurements are based on the principles of fairness, equity, transparency, competitiveness and accountability’, he said. According to him gone are the days when vendors used to run from pillar to post to file tender on papers with a bunch of supporting documents. Shri Narang also said, 20% purchase is mandatory by public procurement agency from SMEs.
During the event, Shri Gaurav Kapoor, Vice –President & Head Northern Region, NSE and Shri Akhilesh Kumar, BD Manager, Northern India, Receivables Exchange of India Limited(RXIL) gave presentation to the participants.
Shri Vijay Kumar, Director, MSME Development Institute, MSME, Ministry, Government of India was the chief guest at the event who throw light on various schemes available for the SMEs. During his presentation, he apprised the participants that government of India is promoting SMEs. Administrative as well financial assistance is offered by the government of India. He also informed that 4% quota is reserved for the vendors belonging to the weaker sections of the society. He quoted various examples of ‘Lean Manufacturing Competitive Scheme’ (LMCS) through which the manufacturers with the help of expert consultants reduced their waste and turned those waste into profit. Shri Kumar also apprised the participants that the government of India is also sponsoring Exhibitions to promote products not only at the national level but also at the international level.
All the sessions were followed by questions/ answers. During Q/A presenters clarified various doubts of the vendors, manufacturers and merchants.
