Census of MSME units in the works

NEW DELHI: The government is working on a census report on the micro, small and medium enterprises in the country, identifying strengths and weaknesses of the sector. The report will help the Centre in chalking out effective policy initiatives specific to individual sectors to help them tide over the on-going global demand slowdown.

���We have conducted a census (for MSMEs) and we are expecting the results very soon,��� MSME secretary Dinesh Rai said at a function organised by AIMA here.

The sector employs about 420 lakh people and contributes around 40% to the country���s industrial output and exports.
The report would also provide information on production, raw material, employment, exports, assets, plant and machinery, products and services, net worth, loan taken by enterprises and outstanding debt, besides assessing the sick units under each category.

���Once we have this data, we will be in a position to have more policy initiative in the area,��� he said.

The Economic Survey 2008-09 had said that due to limited data available on the sector, it was difficult to assess the impact of global slowdown on MSMEs.