New Delhi, Mar 16 (KNN) The MSME Champion scheme has made significant progress towards achieving its intended objectives, with several key deliverables meeting and even exceeding stipulated targets, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Shobha Karandlaje has said.
In written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said a third-party impact evaluation of the scheme is currently underway to assess its effectiveness and the outcomes of its various sub-components.
Under the scheme, MSMEs are supported through initiatives such as the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme, MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme, and MSME Innovative (IPR) Scheme, which focus on improving product quality, optimising manufacturing processes and facilitating intellectual property rights (IPR) filings.
The government also provides reimbursement of expenses incurred for filing domestic and international patents, trademarks and design registrations, helping MSMEs strengthen their competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.
The ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) Certification Scheme encourages MSMEs to adopt high-quality and environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices, thereby improving their market credibility and enabling greater integration with the supply chains of large industries.
Under the scheme, graded incentives are provided to MSMEs through financial institutions and banks, including concessions in processing fees and interest rates, which help improve access to credit and support long-term business growth.
The ZED and LEAN schemes are applicable to manufacturing-sector MSMEs across a wide range of industries, including food products, beverages, tobacco products, textiles, apparel, leather goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastics, metals, machinery, electronics, automobiles, furniture and other manufacturing segments.
Meanwhile, the IPR Scheme follows a sector-agnostic approach, enabling MSMEs from any sector to seek support for intellectual property protection and innovation-related activities.
(KNN Bureau)
