Ahmedabad

“Centres of Excellence (CoEs)” or focused institutes of creating business and human capital are the need of the hour – and The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has over last two decades  developed sector specific “Centres of Excellences” across India. “Out of Five (5) Centers of Excellence that are located in the CII Western Region – three (3) of such Centres – the Gujarat Knowledge Application & Facilitation Center (GKAFC), Center of Excellence for Nano Technology (COENT), Intellectual Property Facilitation Center (IPFC) are located in Gujarat. These centers work extensively to cater to various demands in this evolving business environment” informed Sanjay Kirloskar, Chairman, CII Western Region and Chairman and Managing Director, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. while interacting with the press in Ahmedabad today.

Speaking on the forthcoming special initiatives of CII, Mr Kirloskar added that a new body – the MSME Finance Facilitation Center – an online platform for MSME Financing – has been recently launched to enable MSME companies to apply for loans online through 11 Financial Institutions which are under MoU with CII.

Speaking about CII’s Theme for the Western Region for 2015-16 – “Enhancing Competitiveness to Accelerate Growth and Create Employment” Mr Kirloskar said, “ In line with the theme, CII Western Region is working on Enhancing Competitiveness, Facilitating Ease of Doing Business, Enabling Make in India and strengthening International Trade & Investment”

“Government at the Centre is committed to making business environment conducive to investors and facilitate higher investment inflows into the country. He appreciated the consultative process that the Central Government has undertaken in this direction and added that Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India has partnered with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for organizing Workshops on ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Make in India’ pan India” Mr Sanjay Kirloskar further added.

Mr Kirloskar said that CII has also shared industry inputs with DIPP Expert Committee on examining the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions with pre-clearances. He further expressed hope that all these initiatives will go a long way in ensuring India ranks higher up on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index and truly becomes a desirable place to conduct business.

Mr Kirloskar informed that under the Swachh Bharat initiative – the Swachh Vidyalaya mission – CII Western Region is working in conjunction with its members and state departments towards construction of toilets and in some cases, overall planning towards sustainable maintenance and cleanliness. To supplement these efforts, and to increase awareness, CII will undertake awareness drives and community engagement initiatives with the respective State Governments towards creating a social impact on this mission with higher focus on hygiene and sanitation. CII members, nationally, have come forward and expressed interest in undertaking construction of toilets at schools.

Mr Kirloskar concluded by saying that CII will continue playing a proactive role in India’s development process by working to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India, partnering industry & Government alike through advisory and consultative processes.