KOLKATA ROUND UP

The 20th forum Secrets of Success on SMEs centered on the objectives of Knowledge sharing and best practices to enhance competitiveness of the Small and Medium entrepreneurs organised by India SME Forum along with Reliance Commercial Finance a division of Reliance Capital, Bharti Airtel, Bank of India, BSE SME, brought to light the perspectives of the opportunities to promote SME sector. India SME Forum empanelled with industry experts and Mentors discussed the potential gateways for SME Competitiveness and what is required to combat issues and adopt right measures to grow.
The Forum was inaugurated by Mr Biswanath Battacharya, President, Federation Of Small & Medium Industries ,Mr H.K. Guha, President, Federation of Associations of Cottage and Small Industries, Mr K.V.Srinivasan,CEO,Reliance Commercial Finance,Mr P. Kumar, President, Indian Council of Small Industries Mr. K.V.Srinivasan, CEO, Reliance Commercial Finance Mr. Vinod Kumar, Country Head SDRC &Honorary VP India SME Forum and Ms. Sushma Morthania, Director General, India SME Forum
The Forum laid emphasis on best practices, avenues for collaboration, technology up-gradation, innovation and importance of cluster based approach. Discussion board involved eminent experts namely Mr K.V.Srinivasan, CEO, Reliance Commercial Finance Mr Prakash K. Vartak , Zonal Manager, Bank Of India,Mr Ajay Thakur, Head-BSE SME,Mr. Ratnadeep Dutta, Sr. Manager , SMERA Ratings Limited, Mr D. Bandyopadhyay, Managing Director, Herald Food & Commodities (P) Ltd. Mr Rajesh Chakrabarti, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, Reliance Commercial Finance, Mr D.S. Sarma, Deputy General Manager,The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and Mr Vinod Kumar ,Country Head SDRC & Honorary VP, ISF.
Experts, from Bank of India ,BSE-SME Rating ,Stock exchange head, and Industry association presidents emphasized on the relevance of SME development and progress that primarily depends on ,robust infrastructure , common facility centre ,financial accessibility training and skill development.
Multiple other issues of the SMEs that came to light were difficulty to access finance, fund shortages, inability to cope with change in manufacturing technologies, basic infrastructure incompetence's funds accessibility, which has hampered the growth of Kolkata SMEs Besides most SMEs were quite skeptical or rather largely ignorant about the benefits of getting listed on the platform, It is misconception with the SMEs that they can get listed only when they become a large size company. Also there is apprehension that listing requires a lot of compliance. Available to comment on the listing parameters was Mr Ajay Thakur Head of BSE,SME explained With the launching of SME Platform, now any company having post issue face value capital between one crore to 25 crores, with a net-worth of three crores and net-tangible assets of one crore can get listed on this platform.
The forum discussions summarized with the concerns on which the SMEs need to look at on a more serious note as the inadequacy of the SMEs and traditional approach of running businesses is holding them back from investing in newer technologies or in improving existing Infrastructure.
The panelists advised the Kolkata SMEs to change their mindset, With globalization, explaining the need of a dynamic culture of running businesses which can come through, financial accessibility training and skill development to enhance the scope of being globally competitive entrepreneurs.
Mr Vinod Kumar Country Head SDRC & Honorary VP ISF moderated the sessions and presented his views on empowering the SMEs with organized special trade facilitation exhibitions to showcase the products and services of SMEs, B2B meetings, Mentoring programmes and networking sessions. He further stated that ISF will also conduct a guided tour to select and identify 180 cluster development markets across the country. This will help identify opportunities for leveraging support mechanisms in marketing, finance, technology, innovation, finance, skill development, trade and investment.
The Forum was well received by 160 SMEs of Kolkata and surrounding areas