President Pranab Mukerjee has presented the coir industry awards for 2011-12. On the basis of performance in export and development, 13 coir units received awards in 18 categories at a function held in New Delhi.
Mukherjee called upon the industry to take concerted efforts to increase the competitiveness of the Indian MSME sector by enhancing the availability of institutional credit, promoting innovations and technologies, providing adequate industrial infrastructure, meeting demands for skill development, capacity building and strengthening market support.
Union Minister of State for MSME K H Muniappa, who presided over the function said 800 clusters would be set up during the 12th Plan period with an allocation of Rs 850 crore under the SFURTI scheme.
G. Balachandran, chairman, Coir Board, said the awards were given with a view to motivating coir units to perform better.