BANGALORE: Peenya Industrial Area is home to around 8,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The area now contributes about `4,000 crores to the exchequer. S Balasubramanyam, President, Peenya Industries Association (PIA) speaks to Vyas Sivanand about the role of the association.
What are the development initiatives taken up by PIA?
When the industrial area was established in the early 70s, the infrastructure inadequacies were not addressed. The Association took the initiative to address all issues focusing on MSMEs and the community. Under Industrial infrastructure upgradation scheme, the government had sanctioned `26.30 crores and we spent `19 crores on building 40 kms of roads. Today, PIA has emerged as a growth facilitator. Street lighting, common facility centre, STP, working women’s hostel, child care centre, common tool room and training centre, material testing laboratory, information and marketing assistance centre and Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence are some initiatives put in place by the Association.
What are the main concern areas?
Power is a concern area. There has been an improvement after discussions with BESCOM, but they should ensure supply of quality power as well as consistency in power tariff. We are worried about the impending recession as it will affect cash inflow into the sector.
You are organising PIA Expo 2012 on February 17 and 18. What is the focus of the Expo?
This year we are focusing on automotive and engineering sector. It will be a vendor development and B2B event. We are expecting about 250 stalls and around 10 to 15 large players.
What are your expectations from this year’s GIM?
Global Investor Meet is a good initiative, but why not hold a local investor meet? If the government can give us land, the required investment can be generated by Peenya Industrial Area in no time.