MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched ‘SME Knowledge Initiative’, a monthly series to cater to the needs of its member SMEs and provide on-spot solutions to the business related issues, which was inaugurated today by Col. Sabyasachi Bagchi, Chairman, West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd. in the Conference Hall of the Chamber.
Col. Bagchi mentioned the significant changes across the world that had added to the competitiveness of the SME industry viz, ‘Cultural Modernisation’, ‘Urbanisation’, ‘Increased Women Participation’, ‘Universal connectivity’, ‘Networking’ and ‘Cyber Development’. Welcoming the need for changing mindsets in the SME industry, he urged SMEs to adopt ‘transactional transparency’ and held ‘Knowledge’ as the most important source of ‘Power’ over ‘Violence’ and Wealth in today’s world.
Shri S. Ramakrishnan, General Manager, SIDBI, Kolkata highlighted on the developmental and promotional activities of SIDBI and spoke at length on the recent Schemes introduced by SIDBI for the benefit of MSMEs through ‘CGTMSE’, ‘SVCL’ and others. His message to the SMEs while borrowing loans from banks is to be transparent, without ‘tall claims’ and ‘unnecessary promises’ that cannot be met.
Shri Jinesh S. Vanzara, Practising Chartered Accountant and Former President, ACAE proposed setting up of Taxpayer Units for SMEs which would act as a single window facilitation centre for all SMEs paying excise duty, income tax and service tax etc exactly in similar line with the existing Scheme on Large Taxpayer Units (LTUs). He further urged for introduction of more provisions for SME sector in the Income Tax Act in addition to the provision on delayed payment.
Shri Rishabh Kothari, Chairman, Standing Committee on SMEs, MCCI in his welcome address explained the idea behind launching the SME Knowledge Initiative to ‘EDUCATE’, ‘IDEATE’ and ‘CELEBRATE’ that would actually help and guide the SMEs in dealing with their practical problems.