TG MSME Policy To Focus On R&D, Women E’preneurs

Hyderabad: The maiden MSME policy to be launched by the Telangana government on September 18, is likely to focus on research & development (R&D) and women entrepreneurs, apart from giving impetus to technological upgradation in the key sector that accounts for a large chunk of private jobs in the State.

The new policy for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will also offer marketing support for MSME units as the State government is of the view that entrepreneurs in this segment are not able to market their products effectively. It identified lack of marketing capability as one of the reasons for the failure ofseveral MSME units.

Another key bottleneck for MSMEs is land for setting up a new unit. To address this, the Telangana government will offer land at affordable prices. Land will also be made available to MSME units on outright sale or lease basis. Under this new policy, entrepreneurs will have an improved access to the land.

It is said that the Telangana government is focusing on R&D in this new policy because most of the MSMEs, given the funding constraints they face, are not in a position to spend on research and innovation. Technology upgradation is another area which will get support from the government post the policy announcement. With the new policy, the government also wants to encourage more and more women entrepreneurs in this segment.

The Telangana government’s Industries Department held wide consultations with all the stakeholders including industry bodies, entrepreneurs and industrialists, and gathered inputs before developing the new policy framework. Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT & industries, also held consultations with various stakeholders before finalising the broad contours of the policy.

The State government is getting ready to unveil the new MSME policy at a special event, for which all stakeholders including industry bodies and entrepreneurs will be invited.