New Delhi: UNIDO, a UN agency, today said it will provide technical assistance in three major areas including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and renewal energy, for giving a boost to India’s industrial growth.
“SMEs, energy efficiency and renewal energy, these are very important areas. UNIDO is ready to support those kinds of programme…and also try to introduce the best practice from international community,” United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Director General Li Yong told PTI.
“UNIDO will try its best to provide the services for the Indian government…helping private sector in creating jobs and wealth. We will work very closely with the government, private companies and associations of the industry,” he said.
Noting that India has already drafted the 12th five year programme (2012-17), he said, the plan clearly indicates the sustainable growth and the green industrial development.
In September, the UN agency had signed an agreement for helping increase competitiveness of Indian industrial enterprises.
The total budget of the country programme 2013-2017 for India, and a second phase of the UNIDO Centre for South-South Industrial Cooperation (UCSSIC) located in New Delhi, is estimated to exceed $ 107 million over the next five years.
Yong further said India has been witnessing healthy growth, particularly in the recent 10 years.
“We have seen very encouraging development in the country. However, some implications caused by the financial crisis still (we) see…now the government has taken very pro-active role to create a sound environment to develop its economy to meet challenges caused by the financial crisis,” he said.
Yong said he was looking forward to seeing the Indian government policy being implemented and the country returning to high growth.
In 1966, India was one of the founder members of the agency, and UNIDO implemented the first technical cooperation project in India in 1968.
Over 400 projects have been completed, with a total budget of over $ 100 million till date. Currently, 31 projects are being implemented, with more than a dozen more in the pipeline.