Darjeeling: On the heels of the two-day long Hill Business Summit, a "Synergy" was organised in Darjeeling by the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
Proposals amounting to a sum of around Rs 9 crore have been submitted by different enterprisers in the micro and small sector.
"Synergy", a one stop destination provides logistical support to MSMEs by providing single point contact; scheme procedures; s
chemes for startups; upgradation of existing old industries; know how on formation of industrial cooperatives and market access.
"In Darjeeling, there are ample of local produce, handicrafts, food processing that are being done at
household levels. In most cases, these enterprises have limited market access and no mechanisation.
We will provide them the know how and even assist them in setting up mechanised units. Subsidised individual as well as cooperative loans are being provided under various state government schemes," stated Vijay Bharati, Director, MSME department.
Stalls were put up by different departments under the State Government and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration including MSME, Land, Labour, Power, Fire and Emergency Services, Finance, Tourism, Horticulture.
"Synergy" is functioning like a help desk, these departments are providing important information on licensing, loans, financial schemes along with answers to different queries that the entrepreneurs have," stated Manas Bhattacharjee, Deputy
Director, MSME.
Around 200 entrepreneurs visited. "We received numerous proposals amounting to around Rs 9 crore," stated the Director.
Automatic knitting units machines are being provided to a cluster of around 200 women in Singamari to automate an existing wool knitting enterprise.
Broom binding units; digital weighing machines; sack stitching machines;
drying and washing units; bee box and hives along with modern packaging infrastructure are being provided to clusters involved in food processing and agro including turmeric, ginger, tulsi ark, cardamom, lollipop and pickles.
Important direct market linkages are being provided to these clusters with Future Group and Biswa Bangla.
In some cases, organic certification and GI are also being taken up.
"It is an excellent initiative on the part of the Government. Thousands from the grass root level will benefit," stated S Namchu, involved in turmeric processing in the Kalimpong district.