(a) whether the Small and Medium Scale industries play an important role in the economic
development of the country; and
(b) if so, the average contribution of these industries to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
alongwith the percentage of workers out of the total workers, working in the country in
comparison to America, Japan, France, China and other countries?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The micro and small enterprises (MSEs) constitute an important segment of
the Indian economy, providing employment to an estimated 312.52 lakh people in the rural and
urban areas of the country. The contribution of MSEs to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the
country is estimated at 5.94 per cent for the year 2006-07 (latest available). The data in
respect of medium enterprises is not available presently. Further, in view of the varying
definition of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in different countries, no comparative
data on share of employment provided by the MSEs in the total employment is available.