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New Delhi, Nov. 20

The small and medium enterprises sector has the maximum potential of generating employment opportunities and plays a crucial role in minimising regional and social differences, said Mr Mahabir Prasad, Minister of Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries. While inaugurating the "Fifth Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Development Programme" on Sunday, he said there are 12 million enterprises in the country providing employment to 29 million people.

These enterprises contribute 39 per cent of industrial production and 34 per cent of the direct exports of the country. Small enterprises are playing a significant role in sectors such as agro-food processing, light engineering, readymade garments, leather, ceramics and information technology. In order to assist micro and small enterprises, their specific needs should be identified and brought to the notice of policy makers, the Minister said.

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