BUSINESS
Heat action plans need to have financial inclusion as a pillar
Since the timing of heat waves is reasonably predictable, an alternative approach may be anticipatory cash transfers to the most vulnerable groups, which will help them prepare well and weather the heat wave without reducing consumption
BUSINESS
Budget 2023: How to improve financial inclusion and the digital ecosystem
Significant strides have been made in financial inclusion over the past nine years. It is expected that Budget 2023 will remove impediments to further expansion of the reach of banking services
BUSINESS
For effective financial inclusion, India needs a more inclusive, updated database
Financial inclusion is a national policy objective, and in a large heterogeneous country like India, it is imperative that granular data is monitored regularly by the government and the RBI
BUSINESS
Auto Sector | Electric is the way forward. Battery concerns are a speed bump
EVs are the future of mobility, and the government has provided a much-needed policy and regulatory framework, even recognising battery and energy as a service. Yet, for a true revolution, and mass adoption, we need sustained and co-ordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders
BUSINESS
India’s financial inclusion mission should aim to close gender-gap
Women entrepreneurs often are at a disadvantage when assessed by traditional credit scoring models. The fintech revolution, alternate credit scoring models, and the account aggregator framework hold significant promise for breaking these barriers
BUSINESS
Boost MSME sector to achieve the $5 trillion goal
Strengthening our MSME sector against future shocks calls for a slew of measures, beginning with an aggressive push to formalisation
BUSINESS
MSME | Skilling needs a demand-driven approach
Time to target skilling the MSME workforce through skill vouchers and individual training accounts
BUSINESS
Cluster development needs more focussed attention
A systematic implementation of the cluster development policy is crucial for higher productivity for MSMEs and balanced regional growth
BUSINESS
India needs to empower its women entrepreneurs
Time to put a gender-lens on all government schemes and processes, as enabling women enterprise ownership is an imperative
BUSINESS
Going beyond policy announcements to raise MSMEs' contribution to India’s exports
The ‘Implementation-to-intent’ ratio must be raised through India’s new Foreign Trade Policy 2021-26 slated for release in the next couple of months
BUSINESS
Wanted: A Joint Secretary for 'digital drive' at the Ministry of MSME
The government should encourage and fund startups that provide cloud-based solutions built with the 'MSME First' agenda, and support adoption through a digital drive for small businesses
BUSINESS
MSME | Compliance reform can give huge relief to small businesses
Centre and state governments should undertake this journey in mission mode, with industry associations and regtechs as companions, and periodically publish dashboards of progress as key milestones are crossed
BUSINESS
MSMEs | Delayed payments continue to clog liquidity. TReDS could be the answer
With increased penetration of ‘digital’ and the promising rise of ‘Fintech’, TReDS, which is an online solution based on ‘incentives’, certainly promises to be a scalable and sustainable one, if not exactly a panacea
BUSINESS
How to bridge the credit gap for MSMEs
Fintechs in the MSME lending space need a godfather, like Nandan Nilekani for UIDAI, to coordinate across the various departments and ministries
BUSINESS
When it comes to SMEs, the smaller are the most vulnerable
Without formalisation, five out of every six MSMEs are losing out on benefiting from government schemes. A national drive in mission mode for Udyam registrations can fix this
BUSINESS
The quality of economic growth matters more than the rate
The mantra of 'Simplify, Rationalise and Digitise' works not just for Ease of Doing Business, but also to protect the right of workers – this is the key reform that must be implemented across the board by governments at every level
