Message from the Director, EDI

Abstract

It is indeed encouraging to see how entrepreneurship has entrenched itself across disciplines and sectors. I believe entrepreneurship is one of the most important factors that can accelerate growth, and the sooner it gets embedded acrossindustry and academia, the better for the economy. Once this phenomenon becomes widespread, resultswill be pretty conspicuous. I am quite hopeful about an upbeat entrepreneurial environment laden with innovative micro, small and medium enterprises. The inhibitions related to entrepreneurship are fast getting displaced and the realization that entrepreneurship could be a trusted ally in dealing with the vulnerabilities of society istaking over. Promoting Micro, Smalland Medium enterprises (MSME) could be the gateway to economic development. It gives a massiveboost to growth orientation and skillsets,thus evolving as a guided strategy for social and economic change. The contours of the MSMEsector are wide and undulating - ranging from traditional to high - tech enterprises with varying degree of skillsand competencies. Thisenhances its employment potential and makes it a major contributor in industrial production and exports. Butat the same time, one does notice scope to make interventions to streamline the factors of credit, marketing, technology, infrastructure etc. to MSMEs. I appreciate Government's interest towards assigning more dynamism to the sector and taking measures to equip it in a way that it is able to survive the downturns and crises.The Make in India initiative and Startup India Policy are intelligent moves to harnessentrepreneurial spiritand complement the sector. Businessincubators, which are coming up in huge numbers across regions,will further align technical support with innovative ideas. Businessan cillarisation by multinational companies involving MSMEsisalso gaining attention and will sure make the sector playa pivotal role. All in all, there are opportunities galore on the national and international fronts and with their accent on inventiveness, flexibility and compliance, MSMEshold potential to navigate growth for the nation. ThisResearch Bulletinjointly developed by leAl &EDIsignifiescontribution of the MSMEsector in furthering the cause of economic development of the nation. I am sure researchers, academicians, policy makers and practitioners will be able to derive learningsfrom the papers published in thisspecial issue