ICT Tools To Catalyze The Growth Of SMEs

CIOL

BANGALORE, INDIA: 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 organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in association with IndiaMART.com titled “Free for SMEs” provided a composite platform to entrepreneurs and experts alike to discuss and deliberate the way forward.

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.

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, said a press release.

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, Rai highlighted a plethora of schemes launched by the government to provide customised solutions to MSMEs.

These programs range from raising awareness to providing high-end ICT solutions.

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,” said Agarwal.

He also drew attention to two main impediments that have restricted the use of ICT in India – accessibility and affordability and the need to address them.

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.

Bharadwaj further 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 Dinesh Rai.

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