The Hindu Business Line : `CII will focus on needs of SMEs'

Kolkata May 6 Elaborating on "Building People, Building India", CII's chosen theme for 2007-08, Mr Biswadip Gupta, Chairman, CII (Eastern Region) and Director, Vesuvius India Ltd, had said that in the regional context, the Confederation's approach would be to work strongly in identifying manpower needs and talent gaps in sectors like manufacturing, IT, ITES, telecom, engineering process outsourcing, retail and agri-business.

He said CII-ER has already rolled out its Affirmative Action initiatives in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal.

The Confederation also plans to focus intently on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are globally identified as the frontrunners.

Briefing newspersons here on CII eastern region's principal work agenda for 2007-08, based on the theme of "Building East to Build India", Mr Gupta said CII will focus on the needs of small and medium enterprises, which form a significant portion of its membership.

Plan of action

He said the plan of action involved carrying forward the work started on Affirmative Action and strengthening the Corporate Social Responsibility of the industry in eastern region in terms of improving competitiveness of marginalised groups.

Mr Gupta pointed out that "we in CII intend to provide them a background for competing effectively in the market and making them potential employees by imparting skills to work efficiently in the private sector".

Clarifying that the core focus of CII work, activities and initiatives will relate to people and ways and means of making them effective, entrepreneurial and innovative, Mr Gupta said, "We in CII will work with the youth in a multi-dimensional mode, touching the four areas of knowledge and skills, manufacturing innovation, sustainable growth and inclusive growth."

Meet with CM

Elaborating on the CII team's recent meeting with the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Mr Gupta said the Chief Minister was keen that CII should get involved in the River Beautification programme and the BBD Bag (Central Business District) development projects being taken up by the State.

The Government has already set up three committees for such projects.

Quoting the Chief Minister as stating that money was no problem for the project, he said CII has been asked to take up the task of creating awareness among people of Kolkata on such projects.

On CII's `Affirmative Action' programme, taken up nationally, Mr Sandipan Chakravorty, Deputy Chairman, CII-ER and Managing Director, Tata Ryerson Ltd, said the idea was to create employability and entrepreneurship among the SC/ST people — to create at least 100 entrepreneurs every year. He said the target for eastern region was 25 entrepreneurs every year among the SC/ST groups.

More Stories on : SSI | Industry Associations | West Bengal

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Dept of Post wants its `commercial' tag removed

GO on re-employment of retrenched workers upheld

Plan panel wants role of technology in energy assessed

VAT on MRP: Kerala dealers on collision course with trade body

VAT on coconut oil, tender water to go

`CII will focus on needs of SMEs'

Microsoft's Imagine Cup finalists

PG course in insurance

Surya launches star-rated tubes

States drag their feet on rural electrification policy

Pilot-less, ports flounder

`Startling' portion of India's new reserves in US treasuries

Technology Day celebrations

Agenda for the Week

KMC to come out with fresh list of heritage structures soon