Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog on January 15 released a detailed blueprint to improve outcomes for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by streamlining scheme implementation, strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, and enhancing the delivery of financial, skill, marketing, and innovation support. The report, titled ‘Achieving efficiencies in MSME sector through convergence’, outlines a strategic roadmap to strengthen the effectiveness of government support for MSMEs in the country.
Among other suggestions, the report proposes an AI-powered centralised digital platform integrating MSME schemes, compliance, finance, and market intelligence.
“Drawing on global best practices, the portal would feature information, process, compliance, and market research modules, supported by AI chatbots, dashboards, and mobile access for real-time support to MSMEs,” NITI Aayog said in a statement. Further, the report evaluates existing government schemes and programmes for the MSME sector, assesses the current level of convergence among them, and identifies best practices from central, state, and international experiences, offering actionable recommendations to unlock convergence opportunities and undertake corrective measures to improve efficiency, outreach, and impact of MSME schemes.
There are 18 schemes spanning critical support areas such as credit assistance, skill development, marketing support, innovation and R&D, technology and quality upgradation, and infrastructure development. The report recommends a two-pronged approach to convergence, comprising information convergence and process convergence.