Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has put a proposal to set up 17 new clusters in West Bengal. These clusters would have 1000 units and employ above 4 lakh people.

‘Cluster Development for Inclusive Growth in West Bengal’ is an ASSOCHAM study for cluster development in West Bengal. The total fund required to provide basic and essential infrastructure to clusters will be around Rs. 400 crores. This shall be mobilized under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

An additional 10% revenue per annum will be deposited to the exchequer once it is made operational. At present West Bengal merely has 43 government recognized clusters out of 6500 clusters of which 450 are government assisted.

Around 40% of GDP is contributed by the MSME sector in India. The value of goods and services for this sector is around Rs. 20 lacs crores in 09-10. This sector employs 59 million people in over 26 million units spread across the country. There has been a continuous  growth in MSME sector in-comparison to the other industrial sectors.

It is found that among the products manufactured by MSMEs, 6000 range from traditional to high tech ones. Also, the MSME sector provides the best opportunities for self-employment followed by the agricultural sector.

The use of obsolete technology and plant machinery is one reason for the state not being able to sustain growth and development process. There is also a need to interconnect all clusters among themselves by adoption of E-Cluster model so as to find a level playing field whereby it would become possible to survive and grow.

ASSOCHAM strongly assists and stimulate clusters’ potential so as to contribute better in the State’s output. The contribution of the MSME sector to GDP can be further intensified with the government extending assistance to unattended clusters. This organization has recommended the West Bengal government to constitute a statutory body the ‘Cluster Development Authority’ so as to properly make use of funds and to gear up for future growth.