New Delhi: Small businesses in Delhi will soon have centres to help them navigate govt schemes, secure business financing, obtain approvals and expand their markets, a move that will help them grow and generate more employment in the long term.Delhi govt has started the process of setting up a centralised micro and small enterprises (MSE) hub and six district-level business facilitation centres, or BFCs. “The entrepreneurs will be able to seek help on statutory clearances, finance, technology adoption, digital platforms, supply chains, exports and access to domestic and international markets,” an official said.According to documents seen by TOI, the proposed network is designed as a single-window support system as it will bring together assistance that is now scattered across various departments and agencies.The scale of the proposed intervention is significant. Delhi has around 13.2 lakh medium, small and micro enterprises, of which nearly 9.7 lakh are registered on the Udyam portal. More than 96% of these enterprises are micro units. This sector provides livelihoods to over 6 million people, according to the project document.Union govt classifies enterprises as micro, small and medium based on the investment and the annual turnover. A micro enterprise is one with an investment of up to Rs 2.5 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 10 crore. A small enterprise can have an investment of up to Rs 25 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 100 crore. A business is a medium enterprise unit if it has an investment of up to Rs 125 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 500 crore.The proposed set-up is for small and micro enterprise units. The hub will function as the main technical and knowledge centre, supporting entrepreneurs and the six BFCs.The hub will have four full-time industry experts specialising in international trade, product development and management, technology and sustainability. They will provide specialised advice and support the BFCs in dealing with more complex cases.The hub will do sectoral, cluster-wise and district-level studies to identify opportunities and problems faced by businesses. It will empanel industry experts and mentors and organise technical consultations, workshops and advisory sessions for enterprises through the BFC network.The project seeks to ensure that entrepreneurs receive a standardised level of service across all six centres.Govt has already invited expressions of interest to select an agency. The agency will be responsible for establishing, staffing and operating the hub and BFCs during the project period. It will also provide office infrastructure, IT systems, furniture, maintenance, housekeeping and other operational support. The initiative is being taken up under RAMP, a World Bank-supported programme of the Union MSME ministry.
