In order to promote technology upgradation and digitalisation of small enterprises across the country, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing various schemes and initiatives, which inter-alia includes the MSE-Cluster Development Programme (Common Facility Centres), Tool Rooms / Technology Centres, the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) – Green Investment Financing for Transformation (GIFT) Scheme, and the MSME Champions Scheme, these initiatives support modernization, skill and quality enhancement, advanced technology access, green technology adoption, and improved competitiveness of MSMEs. The Government is driving digitalisation through initiatives such as the Udyam Portal, MSME Champions Portal, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), MSME Mart, MSME SAMBANDH, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) portal, enabling digital registrations, online procurement, e-market access, receivable financing, and grievance redressal, thereby supporting MSMEs across the country.

Ministry of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing a scheme, ‘Establishment of new Technology Centres/Extension Centres’, to establish 20 new Technology Centres (TCs) and 100 Extension Centres (ECs) across the Country to increase geographical reach of TCs network to provide solution as per local needs of MSMEs for technology, skilled human resources, and advisory services. This will increase competitiveness and profitability of MSMEs at grass root level. The 20 locations for establishment of New Technology Centres have been approved including two locations at aspirational districts viz Gaya (Bihar) and Bokaro (Jharkhand) under the scheme.

The Ministry of MSME has established 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) in its field organizations namely MSME-Development and Facilitation Offices, MSME Technology Centres and MSME Testing Centres with an aim to provide requisite mentoring and handholding to MSMEs to increase their export competitiveness.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Sushri Shobha Karandlaje) in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

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AKS