Growth of small industries, MSMEs vital: Saini

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said small industries are playing an important role in the success of national campaigns like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and MSMEs are contributing significantly to the rapid growth of the country.

Addressing the inaugural session of a three-day national convention of the Laghu Udyog Bharati at Pattikalyana in Samalkha on Monday, Saini said the state government was implementing schemes and incentive policies for the development of small industries, so that entrepreneurs could get maximum opportunities.

He said the industry discussion at the convention would provide a new direction for the growth of MSMEs, and such programmes would guide and inspire young entrepreneurs to script the story of 'Developed India, Developed Haryana'.

Though Haryana had only 1.3% of the country's geographical area, it contributed 3.6% to the state GDP, as per the advance estimates for 2024-25. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) had grown at 10.8% over the past decade, and thousands of MSMEs scattered in unauthorised industrial areas of Faridabad, Panipat, Yamunanagar and Ambala had been granted relief and were now reaping benefits.

Plans were underway to establish 10 industrial model townships (IMTs), for which land was being acquired to develop three IMTs on national highways — Ambala, Jind and Faridabad-Palwal. Places had also been identified for IMTs at Kosli and Naraingarh.

Saini further said in the past 11 years, 7.66 lakh micro, small and medium industries had been set up in Haryana, generating employment for 39 lakh people. Over 230 online services were being provided through the single-roof clearance system, he said.

“Haryana has now become the first choice for investors and startups, emerging as the seventh largest state in terms of startup numbers, with over 9,100 recognised startups and 19 unicorns,” the CM added.

The next goal was to increase women’s participation in startups, from 50% to 60%, under the Haryana State Startup Policy. Financial assistance of Rs 1.14 crore had already been provided to 22 startups.

Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister for Energy, Housing and Urban Development, said with government support, small industries could be given a boost. The Central and state governments were encouraging a new industrial culture by launching industry-friendly policies, he said, adding that the country had been able to reduce GST into just a few slabs.

To accelerate foreign currency reserves, India must boost exports through MSMEs, he said.