2024/10/25 16:47 pm
A team representing the Friedrich Naumann Foundation visited MSMEs in Delhi to understand the functioning of the micro, small and medium enterprises in India. The delegation was led by Frank Muller-Rosentritt, Member of Parliament for the Free Democratic Party, Germany, along with Dr. Carlsen Klein Head of FNF South Asia, Frank Hoffman (Regional Project Manager) and Himanshu Chawla (Regional Communication and Project Manager).
The FNF visit was facilitated by the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC). FMC and FNF are partners. FNF had supported FMC in its endeavours of promoting sustainability and resource efficiency within MSME clusters. FMC is a public trust founded in 2005. It has been working with MSME for over two decades. It works with the help of various national and international donors such as the European Union, SIDBI( Small Industries Development Bank of India) and the Yes Bank. It had helped in reducing 41,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually in foundry clusters, establishing paving block enterprises that consumed 163,000 tonnes of foundry slag, replaced 1,800 tonnes of unsustainable materials with bamboo in bamboo clusters. Currently, it is working on multiple projects in the Panipat recycled textile clusters emphasizing resource efficiency and traceability, with support from HSBC, DANIDA, SIDBI and the European Union.
FNF in its visit acknowledged the pivotal role of Indian MSME in economic growth and job creation. They engaged with MSME owners and operators during the visit to gain an understanding of the range of challenges these businesses face while reflecting on the available scopes to grow and expand. There was an increased emphasis on sustainability while at the same time profitability to ensure that the enterprise can succeed in a global landscape. The FNF delegation emphasized its commitment to enhancing the industrial landscape in India.
FNF is a global foundation with a focus on freedom, liberty, equality and tolerance. It promotes civic education, training and exchange of ideas in the areas of freedom, human rights, urban governance and digital transformation. FNF currently operates in 60 countries including offices in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.