Bihar Industries Association president KPS Keshri presents flowers to industries minister Renu Kushwaha at the orientation programme in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Dec. 22: The development of the state will be possible only when micro, small and medium enterprises grow. Industries minister Renu Kushwaha expressed this opinion today in the state capital at an orientation programme of Union government’s Design Clinic Scheme.

The minister said: “We are committed to the development of the micro, small and medium enterprises. Banks are, however, reluctant to give loans to individuals who wish to set up micro and small industries. Banks must show flexibility in providing loans to the entrepreneurs under Credit Guarantee Trust Fund.”

She added: “Under the fund, 80 per cent of a Rs 1 crore loan is secured.”

Today’s programme was organised by Bihar Industries Association and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute to highlight various features of the Design Clinic Scheme. The Union ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises’ scheme aims to enhance industry understanding and application of design and innovation for value addition to products. Another objective of the scheme is to promote design as a competitive tool.

Industries department principal secretary C.K. Mishra said this is a first of its kind programme.

“Our main focus is on the micro, small and medium sectors. Manufacturing is the backbone of a growing economy. Products can be made competitive through effective design. Entrepreneurs can survive in the market only through competitiveness. Design is very significant. The appropriateness of design is most crucial,” Mishra said.

Shashank Mehta, the project head of Design Clinic Scheme, said this scheme was formulated according to the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council set up by the central government in 2010.

“This is the first scheme of design to promote the competitiveness among the small and medium sector entrepreneurs,” he added.

“This is a unique programme as such events will help designers and entrepreneurs of micro, small and medium enterprises interact with each other.”

Delegates from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad — a nodal agency for design intervention — presented an overview to the participants about the importance of design in enhancing the competitiveness of the product.

Mihir Bhole, a senior teacher of National Institute of Design, said: “The lack of design is an important reason for the lack of competitive edge of micro, small and medium enterprises. The need of the hour is to prepare design according to the market requirement. We organise seminars, workshops and projects to sensitise the entrepreneurs about the importance of design.”