MSMEs Must Adopt Quality Norms to Improve Exports

World Trade Centre Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI) organised an awareness workshop for industry associations and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in association with the Quality Council of India (QCI) on May 20, 2016.

Top officials from National Accreditation Board for Education & Training (NABET), which is part of Quality Council of India (QCI), explained the key features and importance of ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) rating model and Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme for MSMEs. They also talked about the importance of accreditation for business membership organisations (BMO).

Cdr. (Retd) Jagmohan S. Bhogal, Senior Director, NABET said “Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the prime beneficiaries of Government of India’s ambitious Make in India programme and they can improve their export performance only by upgrading their quality standards. MSMEs can join the global supply chain by supplying ancillary goods to multinational companies (MNCs). In order to become the preferred supplier to MNCs, MSMEs must adhere to strict quality standards and good corporate practices. NABET is implementing the ZED Maturity Assessment Model for rating the quality and environmental performance of MSMEs. The entire process for applying for this rating is made simple and paperless.”

NABET is also implementing the Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme to impart optimal business practices among MSME clusters. So far, the board has implemented the scheme in 150 MSME clusters across India and in future more clusters would be encouraged to adopt it.

Ms. Vanita Yadav, Director, NABET spoke about the advantages of accreditation for Business Membership Organisation (BMO). Some of the advantages are availability of concessional financial assistance from SIDBI, credible recognition from international organizations, better performance and improved service quality for their member organizations.

Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai, in his welcome address, said, “We need a simplified and paperless procedure to apply for accreditation and quality standard services. Quality standards have assumed lot of importance in the context of the announcement of the policy on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by the Government of India. MSMEs must adhere to strict quality standards in order to improve the market share for their goods and services globally. Many companies became uncompetitive in the global market because of their inability to maintain quality standards. World Trade Centre Mumbai is happy to organize this workshop and we can plan similar events in other parts of Maharashtra, Goa, Jaipur, Bhubaneshwar to create awareness about quality standards among MSMEs in these regions.”

Caption: (From L to R) Mr. Jagmohan S. Bhogal, Cdr. (Retd)., Senior Director, National Accreditation Board for Education & Training (NABET), Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai, Ms. Vanita Yadav, Director, NABET share dais at an awareness workshop for industry associations and MSMEs on improving competitiveness