The government has asked micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to produce medical devices, especially COVID-19 related items for exports as there is a readymade export market available.
“Today there is a readymade market available to us. It is waiting for us. Medical equipment and COVID related medical items like sanitisers, PPE kits, masks and there are so many other items. As you would be aware that government has lifted curbs on export of masks. So, from this point of view we don’t need to go anywhere as the platform is ready for all of you.
We just need to produce them and supply,” the MSME Secretary said. Sharma emphasised that there was a specific query for pipes of santiser bottle as it is being imported from China and hence need to be produced locally. He also told participants that guidelines for the Rs 3 lakh crore collateral-free loans for MSME sector would be finalised in the next 1-2 days by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under Ministry of Finance. On demands by various small firms to extend the moratorium on loan repayment for another 3-6 months, Sharma said that the issue would need to be taken up with the Finance Ministry.
