Khadi has been the mainstay of rural employment generation as also the mantra to uplift the poor masses. This was stated by Shri Mahabir Prasad, Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, while inaugurating the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) pavilion, at the 27th India International Trade Fair here today. Elaborating on the performance of KVIC Shri Prasad said, during the Tenth Plan, 1,21,961 units were established under Rural Employment Generation Programme to which margin money assistance of Rs.1452 crore was released by the Government through KVIC to the beneficiaries. An estimated 25.25 lakh additional employment opportunities have been generated during the Tenth Plan. He said, there was an urgent need for substantially enhancing the wages of Spinners and Weavers from the present level.
Earlier, Shri Prasad inaugurated National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) pavilion – ‘Techmart’ and MSME pavilion – ‘MSME Expo - 2007’ under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
The major attraction of first ever MSME Expo is ‘Hall of Excellence’ which is displaying an array of high quality and sophisticated products manufactured in the MSME sector. More than 100 participants from all over the country are displaying their products in the Expo, which include Engineering products, Electrical and Electronic goods, Glass and Ceramics, Handicrafts, Imitation Jewellery, Readymade and Embroidered Garments, Cosmetics and Herbals, Carpets and Shawls, Soft toys, Pickles, Spices and Condiments, Leather and Footwears, Hospital Equipment and Medical Rehabilitation Goods, Stainless Kitchenware and Tableware, Bamboo based Toys and Ready-to-eat Foods etc.
NSIC is also organizing “Techmart India 2007”, the 15th International Technology Fair coinciding with India International Trade Fair 2007. This annual event is a centre stage for keeping abreast with latest technology development in the Indian MSME sector. The event will assist MSME Sector in marketing their products and services and also help large companies and buyers in identifying MSMEs, which can become their ancillaries, partners in joint ventures and sub-contracting.
This year a new dimension of sectoral approach has been added to the display profile of the exhibition and emphasis is laid on sector specific products and technologies like low cost building material, auto components, information technology, light engineering and machines tools, textiles, coir etc.
A new initiative has been taken by NSIC by providing special enclosure of “Working Techmart” where stand-alone technologies for entrepreneurs are on display besides live cluster demonstration of units from North Eastern States. During Techmart India 2007, a seminar on NSIC support services for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises will also be organised. A South African delegation visited Techmart today.
Shri Mahabir Prasad also inaugurated the Coir Board pavilion and went round various stalls to have a glimpse of innovative coir products.
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MG/SR
(Release ID :32695)