Tag: union MSME ministry

Trichy: Aimed at encouraging production of toys locally, the development institute of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME-DI) has reached out to the MSMEs associations in Trichy with financial and technical support. Under the design scheme, the interested MSMEs will be guided to master additive manufacturing (production using 3D printers) and reverse-engineering practices to design and produce even complex toys.

As constraints in designing and mass production of components were cited as the disadvantages of MSMEs in manufacturing toys, the Union MSME ministry has formulated the design scheme to offer expert advice and cost-effective solutions. Under the scheme, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) across the country will serve as the implementing agency and will offer technical support for the MSMEs to produce toys on a large-scale. “Subsidy for technical and machinery upgradation for producing toys will be provided by the Union ministry. NIT-Trichy will serve as the implementing agency to support local MSMEs,” S Dharmaselvan, joint director, MSME DI, said.

Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts that already have toy manufacturing units can focus on the design scheme, while districts such as Trichy that have a robust MSME presence has opportunities for the existing MSMEs to diversify their presence using technical support from the educational institutes in the region.

“Prospects are high for the Trichy-based MSMEs to manufacture toys made of metal and plastic materials. We are planning a series of sensitisation drives involving the MSME department to encourage the MSMEs to make toys,” N Kanagasabapathy, chairman, Trichy Trade Centre, said. The local production of toys will also reduce the cost of the products that are being imported so far. Toy tricycle has been identified as one of the viable products to design and fabricate in Trichy. The price of locally made toys will be 40%-50% lower than the imported toys, MSMEs said.

The micro and small industries can avail 60% to 70% of the design intervention cost as subsidy. Financial support will be paid in three different stages till successful completion of the design.