MUMBAI: It’s not very often that small and medium companies get their due in the broader economic spectrum. Acknowledging their contribution to the Indian economy, industry and commerce minister Anand Sharma says the government is working on to ensure that SMEs are given their pride of place.
Speaking at the ET NOW- IndiaMART Leaders of Tomorrow event at Taj Palace in New Delhi, Sharma, who was the chief guest, said that the government has taken measures like cutting down on red tape and invoking a provision for the first time to remove multiple-level approvals required. Sharma also honoured top SMEs.
The SME of the year award was given to SSP Ltd while EZ Vidya was selected as the game changer. Priyanka Gupta, executive director of MPILBSE 0.00 % Steel Structures, was honoured with the Woman Entrepreneur of the year award.
In all, 17 companies were honoured across business verticals. Dinesh Agarwal, founder & CEO, IndiaMART.com, said better roads, uninterrupted power supply and a simplified tax structure will breathe a fresh lease of life into the small-scale sector. Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman & group CEO of Bharti Enterprises, was the guest of honour at the awards ceremony.
Avinash Kaul, CEO, ET NOW, Times Now and Zoom, said: “This season has been a tough one for the jury to shortlist and identify the best SMEs from an overwhelming 75,000 entries received from all across the country. I wish to congratulate all the Leaders of Tomorrow for coming this far through a rigorous selection process and we hope to see their businesses grow from strength to strength. We deeply value our long standing partnership with IndiaMart in nurturing entrepreneurship and rewarding excellence through the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards.”