By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
Minister for MSMEs Kondapalli Srinivas said that MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy, contributing nearly 45% of exports, employing over 11 crore people, and accounting for around 30% of the GDP.
Speaking at an awareness workshop on ESG and sustainable growth for MSMEs, organised by the FICCI Andhra Pradesh State Council in collaboration with the FICCI Centre for Sustainability Leadership and the Visakhapatnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) on Saturday, he appreciated recent national-level reforms, including GST rationalisation, which provide relief to both MSMEs and the middle class while promoting industrial growth.
The Minister highlighted the strategic importance of embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into MSME operations, noting that this transition is vital for enhancing competitiveness, achieving sustainability, and attracting global investments.
He said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is keen on strengthening the MSME ecosystem by restructuring systems for ease of doing business and establishing MSME Parks in all 175 Assembly Constituencies, with a special focus on rural areas to generate employment and reduce operational expenses. He also highlighted the State government’s ongoing initiatives, including the establishment of cluster-based Common Facility Centres (CFCs) for industries such as gold, pharmaceuticals, and textiles; the creation of an enabling ecosystem by connecting universities, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and government organisations with the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub; the promotion of clean and green energy adoption in manufacturing; and proposed initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP), currently under consideration to encourage micro-entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. He added that Industrial Promotion Officers (IPOs) will be deployed in each Assembly Constituency, and Chambers of Commerce will be empanelled at the district level to ensure grassroots-level support, handholding, and effective last-mile delivery for MSMEs. The Minister emphasised that the State government is committed to positioning Visakhapatnam as a global investment destination, with major international and national events such as the GCC Summit, India E-Governance Summit, and Global Partnership Summit scheduled to be hosted in the city. He said the government will continue to prioritise employment generation, startup promotion, and industrial innovation, enabling MSMEs in the State to grow into sustainable and globally competitive enterprises. Speaking at the workshop, Thammireddy Sivasankara Rao, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation, stressed the importance of addressing environmental issues such as climate change, industrial pollution, effluent treatment, and pesticide residues, noting that these have become decisive factors in global trade and market competitiveness.
