Odisha MSME Department signs an MoU for ZED Certification Scheme with Quality Council of India (QCI)

Bhubaneswar: An MoU was signed between MSME Department, Govt. of Odisha and Quality Council of India for implementation of Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Certification Scheme
for MSMEs of Odisha in a workshop of ZED Scheme held here today. The MoU was signed by Shri L.N. Gupta, ACS, MSME on behalf of MSME Department and Dr. Ravi P. Singh,
Secretary General, QCI in presence of Hon’ble Minister, MSME, W&CD and SSEPD Shri Prafulla Samal. On this occasion Minister, MSME Shri Samal stated that Manufacturing MSMEs need a continual effort to improve their product and processes to boost their sales, exports and revenue. He added that the ZED Certification Scheme will help them in improving quality, which in turn will enhance competitiveness of Odisha MSMEs globally.

The state has a vibrant presence of 3,83,898 MSMEs by end of October,2018, some of whom need to upgrade their quality standards in production and process to get better
market share and customer satisfaction. On this occasion ACS, MSME Shri L.N. Gupta informed that QCI is the National Monitoring and Implementation Unit of the financial support to MSMEs in ZED Certification Scheme. Once registered, MSMEs will get an opportunity to strive continuously to improve its processes and thereby aiming to move up in the ZED maturity assessment
model in terms of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum categories. Under the scheme, financial support is available to an MSME undergoing ZED assessment. Over and above, one time reimbursement of expenses incurred by the MSME unit on acquisition of plant and machinery/testing equipment for obtaining ZED ratings, the State Government will provide assistance limiting to Rs. 1.00 lakh for ZED Bronze rating, Rs, 2.00 lakh for ZED Silver, Rs. 3.00 lakh for ZED Gold, Rs. 4.00 lakh for ZED Dimond, Rs. 5.00 lakh for ZED Platinum Certification is available. This incentive provided by State Govt. is over and above the assistance provided by GoI under ZED Scheme. He suggested that MSMEs should leverage the ZED scheme to focus on their quality of products and increase their revenue
through sales domestically and through exports. He added that amendment of the Odisha MSME Development Policy 2016 has already been made for extending incentives on obtaining certification under Zero-Effect-Zero Defect (ZED) to improve quality and efficiency of operations.

Dr. R. P. Singh, Secretary General of QCI stated that Odisha has a vibrant MSME presence, which needs further encouragement. QCI will provide support to MSMEs for implementation of Zero Defect Zero Effect Certification Scheme to create a value chain for the new regime. He added that QCI, being the National Monitoring and implementing Unit (NMIU) of this Scheme, will facilitate the mechanism of assessment, rating and will provide need based handholding support to the MSMEs of the State. He expressed that QCI’s role is to establish and operate a national accreditation structure and promote quality through the National Quality Campaign. He further added that with the active support of the
Industry Associations and other stakeholders, the business destination of MSMEs for overall growth, employment generation and promotion of exports will be achieved.
In the technical session Mr. Rajesh Maheswari, Director-PPPID, QCI imparted training on ZED Certification Scheme to the officers of the Directorate and various DICs. The members of different industry association such as; UCCI, OSIA, OYEA etc.
entrepreneurs also attended the workshop. He further added that ZED Model has 50 parameters and MSMEs will be assessed on a minimum of 30 parameters including 20 mandatory parameters.
Shri P.J. Nath, IAS, Director of Industries, in his concluding address, mentioned about the expected deliverables under the MoU such as widespread adoption of ZED certification, incentives for rated MSMEs with additional support for women, SC /ST entrepreneurs, setting up of dedicated ZED Cell and to drive the ZED model for continuous improvement.

Comments are closed.