Tag: MSME

First time in India – WB Govt launches Micro Business Credit Card

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West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today launched the Micro Business Credit Card for medium and small businesses at the State Secretariat, Nabanna.

The Micro Business Credit Card, which is the first of its kind in India, will facilitate small and medium business entrepreneurs of the State. The introduction of this Credit Card will immensely benefit the entrepreneurs, particularly in the MSME sector.

The small and medium entrepreneurs will be able to avail cash credit or loan up to Rs 5 lakhs for their business activities, even without collateral security. The State Bank of India has extended support to the Government of West Bengal in this venture.

The State Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra and the Panchayat & Rural Development Minister Mr Subrata Mukherjee were present on the occasion.

Incidentally, in his Budget speech in 2014, Dr Amit Mitra had noted that small and medium businesses were the largest employers in the State, and said that to ease their woes in getting bank credit, the government would facilitate the launch of a micro business credit card (on the lines of the Kisan Credit Card).

Excerpts of WB CM’s speech:

  • We must concentrate on small things. Small grows into big. We must take care of the small.
  • No one becomes a big industrialist in a day.
  • This is the first time Micro Business Credit Card is being launched in India. I congratulate all.
  • I congratulate my Finance Minister Amit Mitra for this bold step.
  • We believe in keeping the process simple and hassle-free.
  • To do business we have to keep all doors open.
  • Just because I am involved in small agricultural marketing hub, does not mean I cannot promote big business.
  • We have given Kisan Credit Cards to 65 lakh people in three years.
  • 65 Lakh Kisan Credit Cards have already been distributed.
  • 3.2 crore people out of 9 crore people in Bengal get rice at Rs 2 per kilo.
  • Till Rs 5 lakh, no guarantee is required in this Micro Business Credit Card scheme.
  • Today Business Credit cards are being given to that Kisans can start businesses. No guarantees would be required till 5 Lakh rupees.
  • It is my duty to help the people to progress.
  • If you are determined to work hard, you will reach the heights of success. My best wishes are with you.
  • We have made a fund of Rs 200 crore for business and a simplified clearance process.
  • We will start facilitation and clearance centers in Bardhaman, Durgapur, Asansol and other places to speed up the clearance process.

Land clearance in Bengal just a click away

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As promised by WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee during the Bengal Global Business Summit 2015, all roadblocks relating to land procurement has been done with.

Now with a click, the investors can log onto the webpage of the Land Department and submit their application online. At the initial phase, the State Government is giving this facility for 38 blocks.

The highlights of this facility are as follows:

  • 38 blocks under Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Nadia, Bardhaman, North and South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Purba and Paschim Midinipur and Hooghly are now available through this website.
  • Within 21 days from application the investors will be provided with Mutation Certificate
  • Clearance certificate for conversion and character change of a land will be provided within 30 days
  • Within seven days of online submission the investor will be informed about the status of the application
  • The contact details of the concerned officers of the department is available at the site for the investors to contact them over phone / email directly
  • At the moment this facility is available for MSME sector
  • Within 31st March’15 all 341 blocks of the State will be brought under this facility enabling all citizens to apply for mutation certification, conversion application/certificate etc. online

We want Bengal to keep moving ahead on the path of development: WB CM at North Bengal Industry Meet

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West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated the North Bengal Industry Meet-2015 at Uttar Kanya. She interacted with the prospective investors and renowned business persons of North Bengal during the meet.

Many industry and business representatives from neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh and 7 North Bengal districts participated. Many captains of industry from Kolkata have joined the programme.

North Bengal is the gateway to the North East, and its strategic proximity to Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh offers huge business potential. The region already received more than Rs. 4000 Crore investment proposals very recently which are being implemented on a fast track. Today’s Industry Meet has generated significant enthusiasm and lots of investment proposals are in the offing.

All the investment proposals will be monitored by a Core Committee for North Bengal and I will personally come every six months to review the progress. For the convenience of investors and tax payers of North Bengal, a new Bench of the West Bengal Sales Tax Appellate and Revisional Board in Siliguri has been launched today. An MSME Facilitation Centre and an Unique Clearance Centre to look into mutation and conversion of land for industrial purposes at “Uttarkanya” have also been created. The government is going to set up a new Convention Centre and an Industrial Fair Ground in North Bengal.

Highlights of the CM’s speech:

  • From now, for paying taxes you do not have to go to Kolkata. Work can be done in Siliguri itself.
  • We have brought down the loss in mandays due to Bandhs to zero.
  • We do not support the politics of Bandh. We do not believe in destructive politics.
  • Disputes should be solved through negotiations and talks.
  • We want Bengal to move forward. We need your help and cooperation.
  • Some media houses have negative attitude. They only show bad news 24X7.
  • We will be providing skill development training to 10 lakh youth.
  • We hosted Bengal Global Summit few days ago. Job opportunities will be created for 1 crore people in 2-3 years.
  • We will create a fund worth Rs 200 crore to support entrepreneurs.
  • We have set up a Unique Clearance Centre. A branch has been established today at Uttarkanya.
  • We are committed to rejuvenate the tea industry.
  • Ambuja group & Keventer Group are investing in north Bengal. We wish them all the best for their new venture.

MSME sector in north Bengal – Marching Ahead

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The West Bengal Government led by Ms Mamata Banerjee has taken several initiatives to speed up the process of industrialisation in North Bengal. From grants to providing services, the government has helped a multitude of small and medium enterprises in the region.

Initiatives like Siliguri Synergy, Synergy Gourbanga, Unique Clearance Centre, Finance Clinic, Statutory Compliance Centres and Technology Facilitation Centre along with various Chambers of Commerce have helped the MSME sector to grow in north Bengal.

 

Some of the initiatives of the WB Govt are listed below:

  • During Synergy Siliguri and Synergy Gourbanga investment proposals to the tune of Rs 1612 crore were received
  • All land related problems solved
  • All statutory compliances done
  • Problems relating to ground water drainage taken care
  • Bank loans worth more than Rs 1700 crore given to MSME sector during April-December, 2014
  • 200 acre of land identified for industrial purposes
  • 29 clusters formed
  • Progress in establishing comprehensive handloom sector
  • Various handicraft centres recognised by UNESCO to be brought under cultural tourism circuit
  • For the first time the Govt will train individuals to become entrepreneurs with training in finance, corporate management, technology and other related subjects
  • B2B and B2G sessions conducted to create an international partnership
biswa bangla

MSME Sector: Backbone of Bengal’s Growth

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Mirco Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector contributes nearly 8% of the GDP nationally, 45% of manufacturing outputs and 40% of exports. They provide the highest employment after agriculture.

West Bengal has the second largest number of MSME enterprises. It has 36.64 lakh enterprises which constitute about 10% of total Indian MSME enterprises. With an output of Rs 78,880 lakh crore it represents an important sector of West Bengal’s economy.

During the last 30 months, 29,735 new industries have been set-up, with an investment of Rs 2,595 crore, This has resulted in employment generation to the tune of 2,02,245 jobs.

Actions speak louder than words:

  • Policy for medium, micro and small-scale, and textile, industries, 2013-18 has been announced.
  • More than 29 thousand new enterprises have been set up with and investment in 2595 crore and expected employment generation of more than 2 lakh people.
  • Incentives of worth of Rs 191 crore have been provided. In terms of credit allotment by banks the amount stands at 8900 crore in the first month of the FY 2013-14. Both in terms of growth (105%)of bank credit and in terms of amounts, West Bengal stands first in the nation.
  • More than 5 lakhs identity card has been issued for both weavers and artisans. More than 3.8 lakh weavers have been register in health insurance schemes.
  • Various Marketing hubs, clusters, common facility centers have been set up. Biswa Bangla Haats have been opened in Durgapur and Rajarhat and in Santiniketan, Purulia, Bishnupur, Alipurduar, Siliguri and Jhargram more haats are in the process of opening.
  • Three new industrial hubs have been opened and construction work going on for Mega Textile Park in Belur, Silk Park in Malda, Eco-tourism Park in Banarhat and World Micro Market in Santiniketan.
  • 16 Common Facility centres (CFC) have been created and 17 clusters have been created.
  • 20 lakh man days have been generated in handloom sector and Rs 194 crore has been invested for 5 lakh handloom weavers.
  • A programme has been initiated under National Fibre Mission (NFM) to invest Rs 257 crore for 17,000 artisans and weavers in 11 underdeveloped districts.
  • Technology Facilitation Centre (TFC) has been started with co-operation of CSIR in Kolkata for MSME. Design Facilitation Centre (DFC) has been created in Kolkata for handloom weavers.

 

While the country performed abysmally with a 0.7% growth rate in the industrial sector, constant focus on the MSME sector has been a major factor in West Bengal’s achievement of a 9.58% industrial growth rate in the financial year 2013-14.

Come to Bengal… Ride the growth: bengalglobalsummit.com

come to bengal ride the growth

14 Achievements of West Bengal Government in 2014

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West Bengal is witnessing rapid growth and progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee. From MSME sector to 100 Days Work, from a successful business trip to Singapore to the creation of a new district – Alipurduar, a surge of development is going on in different sectors.

 

 

Here are the 14 BIG achievements of the West Bengal Government in 2014:

1. MSME 

In terms of Bank lending, West Bengal has grown at the highest pace. Bank lending to MSME sector has gone up by 105%. In 2014 WB Govt has set up 152 new clusters in three years of our Government in the MSME, Handloom and Khadi Sector, that will generate jobs for 4 lakh people.

2. Singapore Business Trip:

Mamata Banerjee headed for a 5 day trip to Singapore. She met with the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister of the Singapore and a host of business heads of Singapore. More than a dozen business dealings were commenced. Pact was signed with InfraCo Asia, Axsys Technologies and Compass Energy Pte Ltd, GIC and others. It opened new doors of understanding between Kolkata and Singapore.

3. Uttar Kanya :

The establishment of the Branch Secretariat of Government of West Bengal at Uttar Kanya, Dabgram, is another bold initiative taken by the present Government, after the creation of North Bengal Development Department. This will cater to the needs of 22% population residing in 24% of the total area of the state comprising of 7 districts. This not only signals the honest & sincere intention of the Government towards the overall development of North Bengal but this is the first such instance in the country. The first administrative meeting was held on 11th February, chaired by the CM Ms Mamata Banerjee.

4. Kanyashree Dibas:

Every year, 14th August is celebrated as the Kanyashree Dibas. The Chief Minister opened the Kanyashree Prakalpo, which consists of an annual stipend of Rs 500 for girls aged between 13 to 18, studying in school and providing one time grant of Rs 25,000 to unmarried girl between the age to 18 and 19 and who are undergoing study or training.  About 11 lakh girls have already been enlisted and another 8 lakh sanctioned. It has been given international recognition by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and UNICEF.

5. No. 1 in 1o0 Days’ Work Scheme:

West Bengal ranked No.1 in the country in terms of expenditure under 100-days work in 2013-14. The State exceeded the budget and recorded highest-ever expenditure of more than Rs 5600 Crore.

6. Fair Price Shops:

Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee constantly monitored the market prices and met with the task force to keep the prices of foods in control. The Govt rolled out fair price seed shops, fair price vegetable shops and prices of the food grains were kept under close watch. The Government is also launching Fair Price Diagnostic Centres.

7. Boost for Culture:

Kolkata is often called the Cultural Capital of India. Two important developments that took place in the year 2014 is the inauguration of the Nazrul Tirtha and Mothers Wax Museum. Nazrul Manch which mainly hosts music gags has been renovated with better acoustic.

8. New District of Alipurduar:

2014 is the year to remember for the people of North Bengal. The new district was formally formed on 25 June. CM Ms Mamata Banerjee officially announced the formation of Alipurduar district at a function held at Alipurduar parade ground.

9. ‘Power’-ful achievements:

West Bengal is no more a power-deficit state in 2014. There has been huge capacity building in the last 3 years. In Jan 2014, WBSEDCL had crossed 1 crore 35 lakh subscriber which is a mile stone for Bengal. Bengal received the third position in Best State Power Utility Award for providing 24X7 power supply.  WBSEB received the second prize for management excellence and the first prize was awarded to CESC.

10. New buses, new routes:

2014 has been a year of rapid expansation of routes and new buses. Almost more than a double dozen new routes are opened with more than 700 new buses launched. New, no-refusal AC and non-AC taxis are also launched. Some AC buses have been made Wi-Fi enabled and ‘smart buses’ are being rolled out.

11. World Bank’s Award for Gram Panchayats of West Bengal:

WB Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee  announced that under the World Bank Project on Institutional Strengthening, 986 out of 999 Gram Panchayats of Bengal have qualified for award of block grant of around Rs. 20 lakh each

12. Awards Galore:

In 2014, West Bengal was adjudged as the Best State in All India Skill Competition 2013. Kolkata received the safest city award by India Today group.  The e-Abgari project of the Excise Department, West Bengal has bagged the Platinum Award conferred by the Skoch Foundation. During the Republic Day parade at New Delhi, the state’s tableaux won the first prize.

13. Boost for Tourism:

WB CM visited Sagar Islands and Sunderbans with a delegation of industrialists who pledged to invest in the development of tourism infrastructure in these areas. The CM announced plans to develop a deep sea port at Sagar while eco-tourism would be the focus at Sunderbans.

14. Visit to Amlashole

Amlashole is the poorest village of the State which hit the headlines years back due to starvation deaths. No Chief Minister in the past ever cared to visit Amlashole. It was Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee who visited Amlashole earlier this year, and took a slew of projects like creation of road from Kankrajhore to Amlashole, schools and others.

 

Written by: Agnivo Niyogi and Sanmit Sarkar

10 lakh people employed in Bengal in MSMEs: Amit Mitra

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Assuring stakeholders and members of ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and industry in India) that West Bengal was moving ahead at a “rapid speed”, State Finance Minister Amit Mitra said that MSMEs have employed 10 lakh people in the past three years.

“Since 2011 [when the All India Trinamool Congress came to power], three lakh people were directly employed and 10 lakh people were indirectly employed through MSMEs. About 35,000 MSMEs were set up [since 2011]; from 48 MSME clusters [in 2011], there is an increase to 92 clusters,” Dr Mitra said.

Bank lending to MSMEs was Rs 10,400 crore in 2012-13, it has now increased to Rs 21,800 crore, he said and added that Bengal’s GDP rose to 8.62 per cent compared to India’s 4.62 per cent.
About 65 acres of land has been made available at Belur in Howrah district, the Minister said.

“An end-to-end integrated textile park is planned at the site,” he said.
Land near the Hindustan Motors factory at Hooghly district has recently been cleared for Rs 6,500 crore-worth of investment, he said.

Calling for the members of the ASSOCHAM to work on recently-developed tourism spots in West Bengal, Dr Mitra said 100 acres of land was available near the tiger reserve in Jharkhali in Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas district.

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced a Rs 400 crore eco-tourism project at Jharkhali on a public private partnership model.

About 210 acres of land was available in Gajoldoba near Siliguri in Jalpaiguri district, he said adding that kayaking could explored on the waters of the river Teesta.