Interview

‘Helping the small entrepreneurs’

MSME is an important factor of the country’s economic growth and West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd (WBSIDCL) has been providing infrastructure and also extending marketing support to the MSMEs with low investment capacities but high potentiality. Jay Prakash Majumdar, director, WBSIDC, who is also the state vice-president, All India Trinamool Congress, explains to Sajal Bose how WBSIDC has been playing a pivotal role in socioeconomic development and the state’s road map

How has the government of West Bengal been empowering MSME sector through WBSIDCL?

There has been a notable transformation in the role of WBSIDCL in the last 10 years. Now, its processes and policies ensure that MSME receives the right land, infrastructure, consultancy service and seamless operation. Under the previous government in the state, most of the DIC (District Industry Centre) were practically inactive.

Today, the state government has rejuvenated them to promote and assist cottage and small-scale industries in each district in Bengal. It provides service and support under a single roof at both pre- and post-investment stages by encouraging small entrepreneurs in the state. WBSIDCL has also extended hand-hold support for establishing industrial park by the entrepreneurship and facilitate bank finance by issuing NOC for the land allotted to them. The state government arranges frequent workshops, consultancy services, and quality control assurance to MSME units.

Is the infrastructure in West Bengal conducive to the growth of MSMEs?

Yes, it is. Our USP is availability of power. During the last 10 years, power generation in West Bengal has doubled. We have added several industrial and commercial estates with modern facilities, including road linkage, uninterrupted power supply, finance and infrastructure. West Bengal has a huge locational advantage of ports. Also, the state is surrounded by three neighbouring countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal – which also augments trade. We are clearing all the hurdles and successfully creating a good atmosphere. And, we are progressing fast in the right direction.

Currently, West Bengal is one of the top two states, where MSMEs are employing close to 12.5 million people. The MSME sector is a major contributor to the socio-economic development of the country. In India, the sector has gained significant importance through its contribution to the GDP and exports.

How has WBSIDCL been playing
the role of a catalyst for the

growth of small entrepreneurs in the state?

Our moto is to offer ease of doing business to improve accountability, transparency and effectiveness in government administration. Now, online application for land and building plan approval system was implemented through the utilisation of the benefit of information and technology to have single window system. It helps reduce the rigours of documentation by simplifying the process.

Our current focus is to revamp some of the existing 40-50 years old industrial estates across West Bengal. We are modernising these facilities to make it more productive. Several spaces in these estates have changed hands but they are not recorded in proper documents. We want to regularise them. The tally of total industrial estates has increased from 42 to 66 in the last 11 years across West Bengal. These industrial parks have industries like engineering, fabrication, transformer manufacturing, electrical products, pharmaceuticals, printing, leather goods, sweet & confectionery, chemical products, etc. The government is now adding another 11 such estates in the state.

Is WBSIDCL giving these small rural entrepreneurs market support?

Yes, we give them marketing assistance. They participate in the government’s tenders whether it is furnishing government offices or supplying furniture and equipment to the government hospitals. Several vendors have been approved by the government. Once these manufacturers are selected through tender, they can easily discount their bill to the bank against the government orders. So, it is win-win situation for these small entrepreneurs.

Going forward, what will be your priorities?

Our chief minister has always put emphasis on the promotion of small industries for the benefit of the rural people. So, our efforts will continue to be centred around rural upliftment. Our state’s policies are progressive and are evaluated regularly. The taskforce is working relentlessly to reach its goal to contribute enormously to the socio-economic development. Many of our new industrial estates would be set up in remote areas, so that the potential barefoot entrepreneurs can easily participate and take the advantage. The government has also accorded WBSIDCL the power to create infrastructure for a textile hub and also another hub for the food processing in north Bengal.