PIB Summaries 03 Could 2025

Content material:

1. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicates Vizhinjam Worldwide Seaport in Kerala value ₹8,800 crore to the nation
2. NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Enhancing Competitiveness of MSMEs in India”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicates Vizhinjam Worldwide Seaport in Kerala value ₹8,800 crore to the nation

Vizhinjam Port: Strategic and Financial Significance

• First devoted container transshipment port in India; developed at a price of ₹8,800 crore.
• Positioned close to one of many world’s busiest worldwide sea routes, guaranteeing strategic maritime benefit.
• Possesses a pure draft of ~20 meters, enabling docking of ultra-large cargo vessels.
• Goals to cut back India’s reliance on overseas transshipment hubs like Colombo, Singapore, and Port Klang.
• Anticipated to triple transshipment capability in coming years, aiding in freight price discount and overseas trade financial savings.

Relevance : GS 2(Infrastructure)

Maritime Sector and Commerce Infrastructure

• 75% of India’s transshipment at the moment happens at overseas ports — this port is a step towards reversing that pattern.
• Will function a gateway for worldwide commerce, enhancing the worldwide competitiveness of Indian items.
• Facilitates higher logistics efficiency and contributes to improved commerce steadiness and export effectivity.

Built-in Infrastructure underneath Nationwide Missions

• Developed underneath the Sagarmala Programme, which goals to:
  • Modernize port infrastructure.
  • Enhance port-linked industrialization.
  • Improve coastal neighborhood growth.
• Linked with PM-Gati Shakti Grasp Plan to make sure multi-modal connectivity (rail, highway, waterways, air).
• Port infrastructure integrates with nationwide logistics networks for quicker turnaround and last-mile connectivity.

Effectivity and World Rating

• Turnaround time at main Indian ports has improved by 30% over the previous decade.
• India now handles extra cargo in much less time, boosting general financial productiveness.
• Two Indian ports at the moment are among the many high 30 globally, and India has improved within the Logistics Efficiency Index.

Public-Personal Partnership (PPP) and Funding

• Growth by PPP mannequin, attracting 1000’s of crores in non-public funding.
• Encourages technological innovation and ensures ports are future-ready and globally aggressive.

Employment and Industrial Development

• Will contribute to the creation of a shipbuilding and restore cluster in Kochi.
• Anticipated to generate 1000’s of direct and oblique jobs, benefiting native communities.
• Strengthens MSME ecosystem, particularly these concerned in marine provides, logistics, and ancillary providers.

Maritime Amrit Kaal Imaginative and prescient and World Corridors

• Port is a part of India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Imaginative and prescient — a long-term technique for maritime progress.
• Kerala is positioned as a key hyperlink within the India-Center East-Europe Financial Hall (IMEEC).
• Enhances India’s strategic function in world maritime commerce corridors.

Seafarer Reforms and Capability Constructing

• Regulatory reforms within the maritime workforce:
  • Variety of registered Indian seafarers elevated from 1.25 lakh (2014) to 3.25 lakh (2024).
  • India ranks among the many high 3 international locations for seafarer workforce globally.

Broader Infrastructure Push in Kerala

• State witnessing holistic infrastructure upgrades:
  • Completion of delayed initiatives like Kollam Bypass and Alappuzha Bypass.
  • Enhanced rail and air connectivity together with the induction of Vande Bharat trains.

Coastal Economic system and Blue Revolution

• Give attention to fishermen welfare underneath:
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Blue Revolution.
  • Modernization of fishing harbours like Ponnani and Puthiyappa.
  • Provision of Kisan Credit score Playing cards to fishermen for improved monetary inclusion.

Historic and Civilizational Perspective

• Kerala has traditionally been a maritime commerce hub connecting India with West Asia and Europe.
• Revitalizing port infrastructure echoes India’s historic maritime glory and cultural outreach.

NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Enhancing Competitiveness of MSMEs in India”

Context and Function of the Report

• Launched by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC).
• Supplies a complete blueprint to boost the competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India.
• Makes use of firm-level information and Periodic Labour Drive Survey (PLFS) to analyse ground-level challenges and alternatives.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) ,GS 3(Indian Economic system)

Focus Areas

• Targets 4 precedence sectors:
• Seeks to deal with each frequent structural points and sector-specific challenges.

Key Challenges Recognized

1. Restricted entry to formal credit score
   1. Formal credit score entry (2020–2024):
      1. Micro & Small Enterprises: ↑ from 14% to twenty%
      1. Medium Enterprises: ↑ from 4% to 9%
   1. Nonetheless, solely 19% of MSME credit score demand met by FY21.
   1. Estimated credit score hole: ₹80 lakh crore.

• CGTMSE (Credit score Assure Fund Belief for MSEs)
  • Expanded lately however faces implementation constraints.
  • Wants restructuring and institutional collaboration for larger attain.

• Talent Shortages
  • Majority of the MSME workforce lacks formal technical/vocational coaching.
  • Low productiveness and restricted scalability.

• Low funding in R&D and innovation
  • Hampers high quality enhancements and world market entry.

• Know-how Adoption Limitations
  • Poor electrical energy provide and digital infrastructure.
  • Excessive price of implementation and low consciousness of tech-support schemes.

• Advertising and Branding Limitations
  • Weak outreach and branding methods, particularly in rural and cluster-based MSMEs.

Coverage and Governance Gaps

• Low consciousness of central/state schemes.
• Gaps in implementation and information integration.
• Weak stakeholder engagement at grassroots degree.

Suggestions by the Report

1. Credit score Entry
   1. Revamp CGTMSE with extra focused and inclusive monetary merchandise.
   1. Enhance credit score evaluation mechanisms utilizing data-driven instruments

• Talent Growth
  • Strengthen linkages between MSMEs and skilling establishments.
  • Promote industry-specific upskilling, particularly for casual staff.

• Know-how Modernization
  • Improve outdated equipment by cluster-based schemes.
  • Incentivize R&D and tech adoption through state-level grants and subsidies.

• Market Entry & Digital Integration
  • Coaching in digital advertising and marketing and e-commerce platforms.
  • Associate with logistics suppliers to streamline provide chains.
  • Develop direct market linkage platforms for distant areas.

• Coverage Revamp
  • Cluster-based, state-level coverage frameworks with adaptive design.
  • Emphasize monitoring, information integration, and state capability constructing.
  • Particular consideration to MSMEs in northeast and jap India for inclusive growth.

Significance for India’s Financial Development

• MSMEs account for ~30% of GDP and 45% of exports.
• Reforms can rework MSMEs into progress engines for: