MoU on MSME Cooperation with Indian Ocean Rim Association

MoU on MSME Cooperation with Indian Ocean Rim Association

Question: The share of MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSME) in India’s total export is …
(a) 40%
(b) 35%
(c) 38%
(d)36%
Ans: (a)
Related facts:

  • The Ministry of MSME, Government of India finalized a MoU on MSME Cooperation with Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member countries on 20th January, 2017
  • The MoU will take effect for each party upon signature by 5 countries. The MoU would be signed soon at an appropriate forum.
  • The focus areas of the Memorandum of Understandings are:
  • To finalise linkages and alliances amongst MSMEs organizations, associations and various institutions engaged in MSME development in their countries.
  • Exchange best practices, policies and programs for MSME development.
  • Exchange greater involvement of MSMEs in the global supply chain, increase their market access.
  • Promote youth and women’s economic empowerment.
  • Encourage synergies with the IORA forum.
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association Secretariat at Mauritius will be the coordinating agency for the implementation of the MoU.

Background:
Workshop on MSME Cooperation amongst IORA member countries was organized in pursuance of the commitment made by India in the Economic Business Conference – II held in Dubai in April, 2016. 29 Representatives from 14 member countries, viz., Mozambique, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Comoros, Kenya, Seychelles, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Australia, UAE and Yemen participated in the conference.

Benefit:
MoU for MSME Cooperation amongst Indian Ocean Rim Association member countries will provide an appropriate platform to IORA MSMEs to interact with each other, participate in trade fairs, facilitate buyer-seller meetings, acquire appropriate technology and explore trade and investment opportunities.
MSMEs constitute more than 90% of all business enterprises in the world and provide nearly 70% of global employment. India has more than 48 million MSMEs. These contribute more than 45% of India’s industrial output, 40% of the country’s total exports and create 1.3 million jobs every year. India has already signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with 18 countries for cooperation in MSME sector.

Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157541
http://www.smetimes.in/smetimes/news/top-stories/2017/Jan/20/msme-ministry-signs-mou-with-iora-member-countries.html