ICT tools to catalyse the growth of MSMEs

IIFL

Using Technology To Aid SMEs’ Growth Was Recognized As The Best Step Forward To Push The Indian Economy, Which Is On A Path Of Recovery After The Global Recession Set In

In an attempt to boost the use of Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) to give a much-needed impetus to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), a conference titled “Free for SMEs” provided a composite platform to entrepreneurs and experts alike to discuss and deliberate the way forward. Using technology to aid SMEs’ growth was recognized as the best step forward to push the Indian economy, which is on a path of recovery after the global recession set in.

The conference, organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in association with IndiaMART.com, saw the coming together of MSME experts who spoke about ways to implement ICT to record growth that would further drive the Guest of Honour, Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises spoke about Government of India’s various initiatives to promote the use of technology in MSMEs which are set to boost the economy. Describing MSMEs as the backbone of development of any economy, Shri Dinesh Rai highlighted a plethora of schemes launched by the government to provide customised solutions to MSMEs. These programmes range from raising awareness to providing high-end ICT solutions.

Dinesh Rai also added that the SME sector in India, that employs 59.7 million people spread over 26 million enterprises, has been growing at a healthy Welcoming the gathering, Dinesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of IndiaMART.com, said the need of hour is to look at innovative methods and devise ways to maximise the use of Internet and technology to gain more. “Lack of awareness about the power of Internet has to be overcome to adopt ICT to drive MSMEs,” Agarwal said. He also drew attention to two main impediments that have restricted the use of ICT in India – accessibility and affordability. Shri Agarwal opined that addressing these two issues would provide simple and viable business solutions Shri Anil Bharadwaj, Secretary General, FISME, concurred that the use of Internet and mobile technology is still in its nascent stage in India and scope of growth leveraged by ICT was immense. Shri Bharadwaj said that the adoption of ICT in India is directly proportional to accessibility and infrastructure development. “The growing influence of ICT in SMEs has brought about transparency in the functioning of businesses and government,” Bharadwaj added.

The session came to an end with the release of a report titled “Free for SMEs: Free and Low cost ICT Solutions for SMEs” by Shri Dinesh Rai. The report gives an overall picture of how the potential of ICT can be utilized by SMEs for increasing The Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body registered under the Societies Act, 1896. Its mandate is to expand and enhance the online and mobile value added services sectors. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders. The association addresses the issues, concerns and challenges of the Internet and Mobile economy and takes a leading role in its development.