KOCHI: As input energy costs contribute a major share of expenditure of an enterprise, the need to be more energy efficient was highlighted at the one-day programme on ‘Productivity Improvements In MSME Through Energy Conservation’ organised here on Wednesday.
The event which was organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and the Energy Management Centre (EMC), Government of Kerala, enlightened small-scale entrepreneurs of various state and Central Government programs that helps an enterprise become more energy-efficient, thus increasing net profit.
“The MSME’s Technology Upgradation Scheme will help entrepreneurs to upgrade or replace old equipment,” said P V Velayudhan, director, MSME Development Institute, Thrissur. “The funding is also subsidised by the Central Government. Unfortunately, entrepreneurs in the MSME sector in Kerala are not taking it seriously. This is one of the best schemes available in the world,” he said.
“Many industries have obsolete technologies. The need of the hour is to upgrade the equipment periodically to have more energy efficiency. In the long run, it will only help the entrepreneurs,” he said.
EMC Energy Efficiency head A M Naryananan said the ‘Urja Kerala Mission’ to be declared by the Kerala Government for enhanced improvement of energy efficiency in the state will reduce the overall burden of energy input costs for entrepreneurs from the state. Various energy awareness sessions are planned by the district industries centres for the benefit of MSME sector.