Union Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Nitin Gadkari urged e-commerce major Amazon to give MSMEs a push by helping more small Indian businesses market their products globally.
While speaking at the launch of Amazon Exports Digest, the minister said, “It is going to increase your turnover and help Indian economy, if you can plan product designing and giving new vision, awareness, product development to all (small) entrepreneurs, regarding what choice global companies.''
The Minster also asked Amazon to categorize products into micro, small and medium as well as handloom, handicraft and agro-MSMEs, and support these small businesses.
''My suggestion is to also make a separate category of handloom, handicrafts and particularly agro-MSMEs which are very important,” the minister said.
Gadkari further said that it is an opportunity for Indian MSMEs to present their products throughout the globe and that is the strength of your company, adding, ''it will also benefit MSMEs."
The Minister later reminded that the MSME sector is a major job creator and the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing over 28% to India’s GDP and about 48% to the country’s exports. He said the vision is to increase their contribution to 60% to India’s exports within the next five years.
Gadkari said that the rural, tribal and Agri sections of the economy need to be developed on a priority basis. 65% of our population belongs to these areas. There are 115 aspirant districts where per capita income is very negligible.
“That area has huge potential for different products they can plan and manufacture. For instance, there is metal craft in Madhya Pradesh and Madhubani painting in Bihar. If we can take it to a global platform, I am confident we will get a good response," he added.