| Clusterkraft e-Newsletter (Vol. 10)
International
Article
Do you know West Bengal Artisanal Clusters???? National IIUS gets on the way with Pune Auto Cluster PUNE: Taking a leaf out of Pune, which has the first auto cluster in the country — the Centre has decided to assist states in a big way to set up close to 26 clusters in different sectors. The idea is to provide technical support to small and medium enterprises (SME).
Madhya Pradesh CM urges Union Ministers for Cluster Clearance Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and Union Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Deb and sought their help in the development of his state. The Chief Minister urged Mr. Kamal Nath for early clearance of the convention-cum-trade centre at Bhopal , Garment Manufacturing Cluster at Jabalpur and Food Processing and Packaging Cluster at Chhindwara. Ambur leather cluster to become environmentally conscious The Tamil Nadu leather industry is gearing up to meet the challenge of achieving zero liquid discharge, which will come into force from July next year. Under the cluster development programmes, the Ambur cluster was moving towards zero liquid discharge and all other CETPs have been enrolled into a programme in which the zero liquid discharge model would be in force from July next year in the tannery sector. Himachal Pradesh gives geographical status to two cluster based products Kullu (Himachal Pradesh): Realizing the potential of its world class cluster based products, Kullu shawls and Kangra tea, the Department of Science and Technology of Himachal Pradesh has accorded a Geographical Indications (GIs) status under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999 for the two products. Andhra Govt. sets aside100 acres for cluster near new international airport Hyderabad : Giving further impetus to the growth of small and medium units (SME´s) in the state, the Andhra Pradesh government has earmarked 100 acres of land in Mamidipalli near the upcoming Hyderabad international airport for cluster development. Cluster Based ERP Solutions are the Future for MS Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) is focusing on industry clusters to drive growth in the emerging enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions market for small and medium enterprises (SME). It is targeting 20-30 clusters covering the textile, apparel, auto ancillaries and pharmaceutical sectors across the country. Food processing to adopt the cluster approach The Ministry of Food Processing Industries intends to infuse 51 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in agri-businesses and hopes to secure Cabinet approval for this soon. Currently this is under consideration by a sub committee of the group of ministers. If cleared by the Cabinet, India would have its first comprehensive policy for the food-processing sector. EDII Conducts “Faculty development prog. in Entrepreneurship” to promote clusterism BHUBANESWAR : Faculties from engineering, polytechnic and hotel management institutes, and personnel from NGO sectors have been learning some finer points of entrepreneurship at a two-week long which began here from January 30. It is being conducted using adult learning principles like simulation exercises, case studies, group exercises and industry visits. After attending it teachers can help job seekers become potential entrepreneurs. International Kazakhstan Mechanical Engineering Cluster Survives The mechanical engineering cluster in the republic is still alive and even developing. This is the results of the Kazakhstan government's concerted efforts to develop this cluster as a major producer for equipment needed for the Oil and Gas Industries there. The cluster initiative determined certain contacts between the industry representatives, government meetings and some government actions aiming to resolve problems of the industry. Cluster Development a priority investment area for Philippines Govt. The Philippines government will maintain its outlined policies as last year and will continue to support industries to sustain economic growth, attain global competitiveness, and generate domestic jobs. Furthermore, the government plans to maintain existing capabilities and stimulate the expansion and diversification of enterprises; promote the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises; accelerate the promotion of foreign and local investments; modernize the infrastructure system to ensure efficient movement of people and goods; support the development and utilization of new technologies to increase productivity; and encourage investors in other countries to relocate in the Philippines. Guyana to launch cluster competitiveness programme This year, the Guyanese government will launch the Competitiveness Programme, which will focus on improving the environment for private investment, enterprise competitiveness for export development, development of clusters and facilitating public-private cooperation for competitiveness. Tanzanian Cluster Development: Best Practice In Tanzania an international workshop on development of the private sector and elevation of the country's competitiveness took place last week. In particular, Center's CEO Advisor Prasad Bamre informed of Kazakhstan 's cluster development experience. Nevertheless, for the Kazakhstan consultants there were specialists and experts of other states of the world like Chili , Jamaica , Thailand , Croatia , etc. who shared positive practice with Tanzanian entrepreneurs and the government how to conduct a dialogue between the private economy and the state. Articles To be Promotional or Protectional: the dilemmas of the microfinance programme in the SME Clusters India . Microfinance has been considered to be the magic lamp that would emancipate the poorer households of our times from the shackles of the vicious circle that any other kind of finance programme has done. Usually any other financing programme that promises to bring out the poor from its misery has been most of the occasions proved to be a failure due to the hidden constrictions that it happens to entail upon later in its complex trajectory. Since the 1990s microfinance as a sector has come to be established as an approach that has more protectional quality rather than just being promotional. The prominent feature of the micro-credit scenario in India contrary to the Bangladeshi experience has been the crucial role played by the formal lending institutions of the public sector in the building up and growth of the financial intermediation on the part of the functional Self Help groups. In recent times the SHG bank has become the most credulous form of microfinance programme in terms of outreach. The author K. Kalpana in her paper with the title The Shifting Trajectories in Microfinance Discourse: A critical reading of the Anti-Poverty Dimensions of Microfinance programmes, 2004, Working Paper No 190., has questioned the functionality of the microfinance programme in offering a clearer picture of the Indian SHG-based microfinance given the organizational and institutional differences between India and Bangladesh. The result of the National Convention on Cluster Approach for MSME Competitiveness and Poverty Alleviation . The National Convention on Cluster Approach For MSME Competitiveness and Poverty Alleviation was held on the 1st and the 2nd of December in New Delhi at the Pulmonary Hall, India Habitat Centre. Organized by the Foundation of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Clusters, the convention focused on the need of Cluster –based initiatives on the part of the government as well as the NGOs to ensure progress in the clusters and thus eradicating the problem of poverty by working on the grass root level in these clusters. These initiatives range from Infrastructure and trust building, the role of information technology in the up-gradation of the clusters, creating export facilities within the clusters and so on. There had been very valuable outputs on the second day of the convention. The discussion on the last day of the convention provided a forum to formally launch Foundation for SME Clusters. The convention can be considered a path breaking on three counts. First was the overwhelming support for the cluster approach and its effectiveness from amongst a diverse range of around 60 institutions whose representatives participated in the convention .Second, there was a strong recommendation from a large section of the participants to focus on cluster development as a means to integral regional development with people and poverty alleviation at the centre. Third and the most important was the dimension that emerged on the structure and the 2- year agenda (calendar years 2006-2007) of the MSME foundation itself. Most of the suggestions centered around the Foundation emerging as a membership oriented apex knowledge network that would act as the central point for laying down and monitoring standards, methodology development and documentation, Identifying, nurturing and accrediting implementing agencies, policy advocacy, sensitization of various stakeholders and working on innovations in the area of cluster development. and working on innovations in the area of cluster development. Do you know West Bengal Artisanal Clusters????
The above Pie Diagram represents Sect oral distribution of Artisanal clusters in West Bengal West BengalWest Bengal is located in the northeastern part of the country. It is bounded on the north by Bhutan and the state of Sikkim , on the east by Bangladesh , on the northeast by the state of Assam , on the south by the Bay of Bengal , on the southwest by the state of Orissa, on the northwest by Nepal , and on the west by the state of Bihar . The state has major locational advantages with ports at Calcutta and Haldia, a good and vast network of railway and roads, communications, stable power situations, stable power situation and improved telecommunication system. West Bengal is one of the most ethnically and culturally rich state of India , known for its highly decorative, elaborate and rich designs along with vast and diverse natural resources. The state is a blend of folk traditions because it shares its boundaries with other states those of Orissa, Bihar , Sikkim and Assam . The city has emerged with clusters of everlasting and undying spirit of celebrating strong and developed over the centuries, art depictions in different forms and styles as a part of living. Unlike the other metropolitans, artisanal clusters are preserved and very much the part of the local life and culture. Textile Clusters represent around 33% of the total artisanal clusters in the state. There has been recent development of strategies especially in the areas of hosiery, knitwear, ready-made garments, etc. In the silk and silk weaving sector, the government is committed to encourage processing and value addition activities. The sector is ruled by the tradition of exquisitely spun and woven jamdani, baluchari, dhanekhali and shantipuri saris. The State occupies an improved position than early times in the textile sector. It is proposed to formulate a new strategy for development especially in the areas of hosiery, knitwear, ready-made garments, etc. In the silk and silk weaving sector, the government is committed to encourage processing and value addition activities. Emphasis is to be given an expansion of areas under sericulture. Earthenware Clusters constitute around 21% of the total sectors in the state. It is one of the traditional craft practiced widely by families' together rural parts of Bengal . A lot of household products and figurines are mainly produced here. Metalware Clusters constitutes around 17% of the total artisanal clusters of the state. The craft in the state has highly evolved and passed through generations. Mainly brass and bell metal utensils are made with a lot of ornamentation done over the products. The articles consist of varied forms and are mostly made for household purpose. Accessory Clusters constitute around 10% of the total artisanal clusters in the state. Shell Clusters constitutes for 9% of the total artisanal clusters. A lot of conch shell and other shell products such as rings, bangles, bracelets, forks, spoons and other jewellery are being produced since the ancient times. Leather clusters constitute for around 4% of the total artisanal clusters but play an important role in the state's economy with West Bengal topping the list of export of the leather products in the country due to good quality. Main products produced are those of footwear and other craft articles. Around 70% of the total produce is exported thus amounting to a large number of employments due to high returns. Main exports are in countries such as UK , Middle & Far East , USA and Europe . West Bengal Leather Industrial Development Corporation helps providing market facilities for selling leather products that are manufactured by small-scale industries here. Further the Government of West Bengal has established an integrated Leather Complex to further direct the activities of the leather units. Horn and Bone & Toys and Dolls Clusters constitute for around 3% of the total clusters each. Articles such as combs, penholders, spoons, rings, figurines of animals, etc are made mainly in horn and bone clusters. Disclaimer: This newsletter is published by clusters.org, a portal dedicated to Cluster Development Professionals. It aims at creating a platform and a resource for networking of Cluster Development Professionals. This email and the attached newsletter are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the members who have subscribed to it. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and primary and secondary data sources and do not necessarily represent those of ‘Clusterkraft.' 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