The Cluster Development Strategy of SIDBI has gradually evolved over a period and it now caters to over 600 MSME clusters through its offices and supports the entire value chain (micro finance, missing middle and small and medium enterprises). Some of the unique engagements in clusters include EU Switch Asia in 18 clusters of 9 states, cluster outreach programme followed by setting up of Project management Unit (PMU) in 11 states with thrust on clusters and state cooperation, State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLM), artisanal cluster and engagement in One District One Product (ODOP) districts of Uttar Pradesh, the organisation said in a press release.
SIDBI has been regularly bringing publication, policy papers etc on MSME Development and is geared up to undertake diagnostics of 100 clusters and plan engagement in 15 clusters.
“SIDBI has identified a multi-pronged strategy to impact local, regional, national and global value chain through MSE clusters. We are giving a thrust to hard infrastructure support to state governments. DFS GoI and Reserve Bank of India have supported us in setting up the SIDBI Cluster Development Fund. The soft infrastructure engagement shall complement the hard infrastructure. In line with cluster experts we have initiated the mapping exercise of 100 clusters such that the implementation by SIDBI and other institutions can lead to sustainable growth of clusters,” said Sivasubramanian Ramann, chairman and managing director, SIDBI.
Since the typology of Cluster Development generally involves hard and soft infrastructure aspects, to address the soft infrastructure aspects SIDBI has launched the Business Development Services Intervention Programme in 5 Clusters including Sambalpur textile cluster and Chennai leather cluster. The holistic aim of the intervention is to strengthen clusters to evolve as model clusters and to increase MSMEs’ access to services thus rising up the value chain.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)