Date:18/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071858720300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Mentoring of machine shop entrepreneurs

Staff Reporter

TIDITSSIA to help form entrepreneurship clubs

TIRUCHI: The Tiruchi District Tiny and Small Scale Industries’ Association (TIDITSSIA) has come forward to provide mentoring support to Micro Machine Shop entrepreneurs doing work for BHEL and other power equipment manufacturing units, under a Central scheme to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in south India through formation of Entrepreneurship Clubs.

Under the aegis of Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED), promoted by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, Department of Science and Technology, the TIDITSSIA would help the entrepreneurs to form the Entrepreneurship Clubto discuss common problems, identify solution, and take corrective action, with at least 50 members.

The Club that will function initially with funds provided by the Union Ministry of MSME is expected to subsequently generate funds from various sources for self-sustenance, according to a communication from Project Director of TIDITSSIA – STED C. Ramaswamy Desai.

The Club will be operated by MSME Development Institute, Chennai; VIT- University, Vellore; and Club Members / Committee with the objectives of enhancing productivity and competitiveness; capacity building; facilitating economies of scale; providing business assistance, management training and incubator service; enhancing production process; attracting new firms and talents to the region; improving infrastructure through government schemes and regulatory policy; establishing technical standards, and providing common solutions for common problems.

Benefits accruing from the Entrepreneurship Club include mutual learning, increased level of enterprise, easy market access, new ideas and new business, need-based specific solution, easy access to credit, subsidies for participation in foreign trade fairs, and consultancy and reimbursement for ISO 9000-14000.

Under the scheme, there will be a close liaison among universities, entrepreneurs and the government. The Club for which membership is free will promote entrepreneurs to develop a strong, loyal and mutually rewarding partnership attuned to changing business and global challenge, thereby raising scope for a cluster approach to develop their enterprises. Enterprises willing to join the club can contact the Project Director on 2418711.