FICCI : Industry's Voice for Policy Change

India Education Diary | Jul 27, 2021

Blockchain is the future of all Transactions: Dean, Blockchain Programs, IIIT Hyderabad

Business World | Jul 19, 2021

Industry bodies hail assam budget for FY22

The Sentinel | Jul 17, 2020

FICCI webinar on 'Re-imagining skill needs': Post-COVID-19

There is a great need for Public-Private Partnership in (PPP) skill development to improve the quality of skill training, said Kh Diana Devi, Mission Director, Manipur Society for Skill Development while speaking at a webinar organized by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) on 'World Youth Skills Day'.

She further added "The quality of skill training being provided by many skill providers in the region is not at par with global standards, as a result they do not fulfil the aspirational needs of trainees". To improve the quality of skill training, the private sector must come forward to establish skill training facilities under suitable PPP models with the Government , she added. She also suggested that, internship programs may be included as part of regular curriculum in colleges so that students get an idea about the industry requirements in the job market. She also stressed the need to have role models and using the social media to create awareness and make skill aspirational.

Earlier during the webinar on Wednesday, Ashish Phookan, Chairman of FICCI Assam State Council, while delivering his address, underlined the need for a collective strategy to be adopted by industry & government to address the employment issues of migrant workers in the region. He also stressed upon the need for finding solutions to reach students and trainees in rural areas where internet connectivity is weak.

Dr. Sukamal Deb, Deputy CEO of KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission)-Northeast, highlighted support schemes and initiatives being undertaken by Government of India for skill development. He invited the industry to take advantage of the support available from KVIC.

Rajat Banerji, Mentor, FICCI Direct Selling committee & Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Amway, highlighted the opportunities for skill development and employment that the direct selling industry can offer for micro-entrepreneurs. He added that, people working in the direct selling industry are trained on necessary skill over time to sustain in the sales & marketing sector.

Others who spoke at the webinar included Dr Pranjal Kr Phukan, Chief Manager of BCPL who spoke about the need for adopting artificial intelligence technology in the skill ecosystem; ASS Dewan, Associate Professor from Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship; Shiladitya Sarkar from NSDC; Supriti Chakraborty from the Directorate of Skill Development, Government of Tripura; Dr Oinam Ramesh, an eminent Public Health Nutritionist from Manipur; and N Dhiraj Singha from the Assam Skill Development Mission who spoke about the initiative being undertaken by the Government of Assam.

Daily Hunt | Jul 17, 2020

FICCI webinar on Re-imagining skill needs: Post-COVID-19

The Telegraph | May 15, 2020

Industry hails MSME boost

Industry captains in the Northeast have welcomed the Centre’s stimulus to the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME), saying that it would be a lifeline for the units closed or on the verge of closure.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Wednesday announced a stimulus package of Rs 3 lakh crore for the MSMEs in the country.

There are 20 lakh MSME units in the Northeast, according to 73rd round of national sample survey, that have been contributing significantly to the expansion of entrepreneurial endeavours through business innovations.

Abhijit Barooah, a leading industrialist, said on Thursday, “This is a revival lifeline for the units closed or on the verge of closure. MSMEs play an important role in industrial development in Northeast.”

Ashish Phookan, chairman of the Assam state council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), said, “We are very happy with the quantum of the stimulus package. The proposal to provide collateral of Rs 3 lakh crore of free loans and Rs 50,000 crore of equity infusion into MSMEs is particularly welcome and will help to improve their liquidity position across the country.”

He also welcomed the decision to change the definition of MSMEs. “By broadening the scope of inclusion in MSMEs, the government has given a major boost to long-term growth prospects of the sector. The decision to disallow global tenders for projects below Rs 200 crore is also welcome,” he added.

Bajrang Lohia, vice-president of the Federation of Industry and Commerce for North East Region (Finer), said since a majority of the industrial units in the Northeast fall under the MSME category, this fiscal initiative would help them get credit to tide over liquidity crunch. Moreover, the stressed units can get funding without being downgraded or turned into non-performing assets. “Amid all the negativity due to the Covid pandemic, this immunity-boosting package for the economy shall go a long way in helping the country come out of losses and grow further,” he said.

“For MSMEs, this is a big positive measure and while the Rs 3 lakh crore would have flowed in the normal course from banks, the advantage here is in terms of the cost being capped, term being fixed with moratorium and, more importantly, guarantee by the government,” he said.

“The change in definition of MSME shall be a big positive for the northeastern states. Also, the enhanced threshold for qualifying as micro, small or medium will enable MSMEs to attain scale,” he added.

Pradeep Bagla, managing director, Amrit Cement Ltd, said the government should ensure that the package reaches all beneficiaries on time.

Rupam Goswami, chairman of Assam Chamber of Commerce, said MSMEs contribute 39 per cent of Assam’s GDP and the economic package would help the state to progress.

The Telegraph | May 10, 2020

Trade industry lauds labour law move

Trade organisations in Assam have welcomed the state government’s decisions on labour reforms but said more progressive laws need to be introduced.

Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (Finer) President Pabitra Buragohain, welcoming the amendment made by Dispur in labour laws, said it could be a good beginning.

“However, it is important to further ease labour laws to give a fillip to the economy and attract more investment. States like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have relaxed and initiated mega amendments in the labour laws. For instance, Uttar Pradesh has exempted businesses from the purview of almost all the labour laws for the next three years.The relaxed laws include those related to settling industrial disputes, occupational safety, health and working conditions of workers, and those related to trade unions, contract workers and migrant labourers. If we need to attract investment, we have to go beyond these states and introduce far more innovative and progressive laws,” he added.

Ashish Phookan, chairman of the Assam State Council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), said the decisions pertaining to labour reforms taken by the state cabinet on Friday was “very timely”. It would help the local industry in this difficult time and position Assam as a favourable investment destination. “We had requested the government to increase shift timings from eight to 12 hours and are very happy to note that the government has agreed. Introduction of fixed-term employment, increase in minimum number of workers from 10 to 20 for applicability of Factories Act and from 20 to 50 for application of Contract Labour Act are all welcome decisions. We would also like to urge the government to evaluate Assam’s competitiveness vis-à-vis other states and bring about more reforms if necessary,” he said.

He also welcomed the decision to repeal the Assam Agricultural Produce Marketing Act and passing of the Assam Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020.

APDCL losses

The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd has lost nearly Rs 150 crore revenue during the lockdown.

APDCL has been losing more than Rs 5 crore daily owing to stoppage of industrial and commercial activities, a sector which contributes 58 per cent revenue from only seven per cent connections, in addition to non-collection of bills from domestic consumers owing to closure of cash counters. Drop in electricity demand during lockdown amounted to 256MW during off-peak hours and 163MW during peak hours, sources said. The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission had asked APDCL to provide uninterrupted power supply and extend the due date for payment of bills but allowed it to collect a surcharge of one per cent per month.

The Sentinel | May 05, 2020

COVID-19 impact on Assam: Four agencies submit prelim survey reports

Four agencies that were entrusted with the job of conducting survey on the would-be socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on Assam have submitted their preliminary reports. The four agencies were given the responsibility for the surveys by SITA (State Innovation & Transformation Aayog).

SITA CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Nitin Khade is coordinating with senior officials of the government, experts and professionals in the respective fields of study to assess the socio-economic impact from the current global health crisis. All these studies were taken up during the lockdown period in April 2020 and all the processes relating to data sharing, correspondence, direction and decision-making etc., were initiated through IT-enabled platforms.

Assessment of the economic and social impact: Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD) was entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the Strategy Report within a specific timeframe. The outcome of the report should serve the State government in chalking out its action plan at micro and macro level to meet the challenges facing the State.

Considering the importance of agriculture, its allied activities like veterinary, dairy, fishery sectors in the State's economy, a sector-specific strategy paper is also under preparation by KPMG, an international consultancy services organization with the help and support from all related government departments and agencies.

On the impact on Tea Industry, Ernst & Young (EY) is working on a strategy paper for the State government. EY is another multinational organization

Assam Chambers of Commerce is to discuss the issues with other related organizations – FICCI, FINER, CII, ICC etc – and in consultation/dialogue with government departments/agencies to work out a strategy for the State to come up with some action-oriented programmes.

According officials of SITA, on May 6 SITA is going to hold the meeting of its advisory committee to discuss the four reports and finalize them. All the four final reports will be submitted to the Chief Minister.

The Sentinel | Mar 03, 2020

Assam International Agri-Horticultural Show from April 3

Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora on Monday announced that the ‘6th Assam International Agri-Horticulture show 2020’ will be held from April 3 to 6 at the Veterinary College Ground in Khanapara.

The Agri-Horti Show will be organized by the Department of Agriculture in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI).

Bora stated that the event will offer more than 350 stalls. Around 200 self help group engaged in the agricultural sector will set up their stalls along with 60 national level companies and 40 international companies. Bora further said that the department is hoping to witness the presence of around 2.50 to 3 lakh people.

Besides all the states of the northeast, the other states pioneering in the agricultural sector including Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are expected to participate in the show.

Bora added, “The department is focusing to ensure the participation of foreign countries in the Agri-Horti Show. However, FICCI has informed that the participation might be interrupted due to the Coronavirus.”

Prior to the publicity campaign, Bora released a Departmental news magazine and short documentary film on the effectiveness of different projects and schemes taken by the department. He said that the initiatives have been taken to conduct a ‘Buyer-Seller meet’ so as to make it easier for an interaction between the agri- entrepreneurs, companies and buyers. “Besides organizing different workshops and training programmes for the farmers, another initiative named Assam Pavilion is also being taken to reflect the current scenario of agriculture and horticulture of the state.” He added.

Assam State Office

FICCI's Engagement

Timeline

Jun, 2022

Procurement by CPSEs with Special Focus on Vendor Interface with MSEs

Dec, 2021

Leveraging Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Different Sectors in Assam

Oct, 2021

Workshop on Cyber Security for MSMEs

May, 2021

"The Pickle Workshop"

Feb, 2021

Stakeholder Consultation Workshop (Online) on 'Use of Solar Water Pumping Solutions (micro-pumps) for Agriculture and allied activities in Assam'

Jan, 2021

National Agri Horticultural Show

Jun, 2020

Emerging Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Assam post COVID

Feb, 2020

Union Budget 2020 - Panel Discussion in Assam

Dec, 2019

Awareness Program on Digital Marketing

Sep, 2019

Opportunities in Plastic industry - Handholding workshop

Aug, 2019

Awareness workshop on Intellectual property Rights

Jul, 2019

Industry Academia Interaction at Guwahati on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day

Consultative workshop on E-waste management

Union Budget 2019-20 Viewing Session in Guwahati

May, 2019

Workshop on National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

Apr, 2019

Enterprise Series Northeast: Training program on Exports

Training Program on Strategic Digital Marketing

Chair

Mr. Dipankar Barua

Agri-Horti sector in Assam - Emerging opportunities

Agri Horti Sector in Assam : Shelf of projects