“Delayed Payment is a major problem in East zone”: FOSMI
FOSMI’s objective is to facilitate industrial development mainly in the micro and small sectors. FOSMI represents the interests of its members through collective efforts. It has regular dialogues and exchange of views with various Government and Semi-Government organizations, Financial Institutions, Banks, Promotional Agencies and others connected to the MSME Sector. FOSMI has representations on the following Committees and Boards, where it’s representatives voice the problems and promote the cause of the MSME sector. In a SMB gathering in Kolkata Ex-Pres-
ident of Federation of Small and Medium Industries, West Bengal DK Mohta, in an interaction with PC Quest talks about association deeds and present scenario of the market.
Tell us about FOSMI and how it is helping SMBs in Kolkata?
We are one of the major association in Kolkata for small scale industries and we have 27 affiliated associations with us and we are mainly representing the problem of the small scale sector through the various agencies which are concerned with this sector. We are now holding number of programs, seminars. For example the hottest topic now is GST for this we have organized quite a number of programs. Next new thing is lean manufacturing for which we have designed two clusters. We have been instrumental in that, and then that zero defect, zero effect all the government programs we try to make aware our members about all the government programs. And whenever they have any problems we stand with them.
Anyone can be a member of FOSMI, we have all sorts of trade members in our organization. It doesn’t caters to one or particular commodity it is for all the manufacturers. And because now the enterprise is also added so we are also welcoming them in our association as a member.
What are the plans ahead for FOSMI?
The plan is to work for traders community. We are going to serve our people by all means. We will raise there issues and take it to the right platform. We are also working with state government to provide helping hands to our members for this we are opening help centers at various places.
What are the challenges that SMB faces here in Kolkata?
Here challenges are too many. Delayed payment is one of them, because of the wagon industry being here, most of the clients delay the payments. It becomes major problem despite of facilitation center being there but it is not effective as should be. But thanks to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016, which is helping us to tackle debt issues. Further GST is still a major affair for us, but we are supporting it as it is a good step from government in the long run.
Another matter is to be technology sound. We are insisting our members in every gathering to develop on technology front. If we do not run along with newer technology; doing business will be difficult and we will fail in future.