We’re launching an e-Shop to help Artisans sell their products online

MSSIDC was formed to provide adequate raw materials and extend marketing assistance to SMBs. The primary aim is to assist the small scale industries for their development and expansion in a superior way.
As of now, the corporation’s paid up capital is
Rs 9.13 crores and the authorized share capital is Rs 10 crores. MSSIDC board is planning to increase its share capital to Rs. 20 crores.
The challenges faced
As an entrepreneur, the major challenges faced pertain to the delivery of quality products in this cut throat competitive market. However, in handicrafts market imparting skills to the artisans and improving their livelihood is another major challenge.
‘We are undertaking skill development programs for SMEs and forming clusters for increasing their livelihood. We have undertaken a Skill development program as a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activity where we have imparted vocational skills to 160 students, which also includes women entrepreneurs,’ said Daund.

Shivaji R. Daund (IAS)
MD, Maharashtra SSIDC

The role of Ministry of MSMEs in developing SMEs
The guidelines issued on cluster (MSE CDP guidelines) from Central and state goverments is helping and providing assistance to improve the quality of the products and increasing their standard of living. The new purchase policy has given a reservation of 30% to SSI units. A total of 241 reserved items will be purchased through SSI via tendering process. Further, the policies framed by the government are in the interest of the SSIs units and artisans.
The role and usage of IT
We are surrounded by IT industry from cell phones to e-shops. Every individual is in touch with IT. Our entire team is in the process to implement a paperless office. Challengers are the opportunities, where learning is a continuous process. With regards to implementing IT, we are going to launch our e-shopping portal “Marhati – e shop”. Our e-shop will provide the SSI units and handicraft artisans to showcase and sell their products online. As you are now aware we are going to implement a paperless office and are going to launch e-shop portal, MSSIDC and our beneficiaries will benefit from IT. The report, accounts, analysis and status will be a click away.
The roadmap for the future
‘We want to onboard all the crafts and SSI products in our portal and want artisans and SSIs to handle their profiles individually,’ added Daund. We want to increase awareness of artisans in IT and its allied products and make them understand how they can integrate IT in their businesses. Most importantly, we want to increase awareness of crafts and SSI products, which shall provide a source of livelihood to our beneficiaries,’ he concluded.