Centre looks to cut down on import bill

New Delhi: The MSME ministry will work with its commerce counterpart to identify goods being imported by India and look at the possibility of manufacturing them here by micro, small and medium enterprises, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.

Gadkari, who took charge of the ministry here, said that the MSME sector contributes significantly in pushing the country's economic growth and creating employment. Small scale industries need to be promoted to further push the country's growth, he told reporters.

"We have asked our secretary and economic advisor to study with the commerce ministry about the goods, which we are importing and if they can be manufactured by small-scale industries here," Gadkari said. The move would help in cutting import bill of the country.

He also said that the ministry would focus on supporting micro units and village industries to promote rural economy and create jobs.

Raw materials like stubble which are available in rural areas can be used by small units to manufacture different products, he added.