A Study on the Performance and Evaluation of Small Scale Industries in Sivagangai District: an Entrepreneurial Perspective

Abstract

The captains of our economy are more than aware of the importance of the small-scale industries (SSIs) in terms of employment potential, productivity, utilization of indigenous resources, balanced regional development, etc. The small-scale sector is important not only for its contribution to GDP but also for its performance in exports and in generating employment.Small scale industries have emerged as a vibrant and dynamic sector that contributes around 40 per cent of the total industrial production and over 34 per cent of the national exports to the Indian economy. At present the small scale industries sector is providing employment to over 40 million people. It occupies a place of strategic importance in Indian economy in view of its considerable contribution to employment, production and exports. However, since 1991, small-scale industries in India find themselves in an intensely competitive environment due to globalization, domestic economic liberalization and dilution of sector specific protective measures. This paper analyses its growth performance in terms of units, employment, output and exports. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to ensure the sustenance and competitive growth of small-scale industries in India.