UNIDO project brings in new lease of life to 140 SME units

Chennai:

One hundred and forty small and medium enterprises in the state and city benefited from the 3.5 million euros from United Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) consolidated project for SME Development in India.

UNIDO cluster development senior expert for Consolidated Project for SME Development in India Hemant Verma said the project, which is promoted by Italian and Indian governments and implemented by UNIDO focused on skill upgradation and business development through capacity building and bringing in international best practices besides technology upgradation through developing readiness for collaborative and investment opportunities besides financial self reliance through innovative cooperative mechanism based on mutuality.

Verma said the project initially targeted units in footwear and leather clusters in Ambur, Ranipet and Vaniambadi besides auto components sector  in Ambattur.

He said during the project implementation it was realized that MSMEs in the clusters need support in upgrading their social and environmental performance to help them get increasing attention not only in domestic market but in the overseas buyer community as well. As a result, the consolidated project added Social Aspects component to address issues pertaining to environmental performance, occupational health and safety and various social compliances concerning women employee and child labour etc.

He said Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers and Exporters Association (IFLMEA), Indian Shoe Federation (ISF) and Ambattur Estate manufacturers Association (AIEMA) were identified as partner associations in the respective clusters of leather, footwear and auto component.