MSME stands for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. A country’s actual economic growth is not just dependent on its large scale industries and multi- national organizations but also on its medium level industries and most importantly on its small scale businesses.
The Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises has provided a suitable name for Small Scale Business operations in India as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
The Provisions related to MSME are provided in The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
Entities which are eligible for Registration as MSME :
Any type of Entity like Proprietorship Firm, Partnership Firm, Association of Persons, HUF, Company, LLP and any other Business entity can Register as MSME.
Sectors of Business that can be registered as MSME :
MSME covers only manufacturing and service industries. Trading companies are not covered by the scheme.
The MSME model is introduced to support new business ideas by providing them with subsidies and benefits. Trading companies are considered to act just as middlemen, that provides a link between the manufacturer and the customer and hence not covered under the scheme.
Criteria for Consideration as Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise:
Section 7 of “MSMED Act” classifies the enterprises into micro, small and medium enterprises.
i) In the case of the manufacturing sector,
classification has been done on the basis of investment in plant and machinery
and
ii) in the case of the service sector,
classification has been done on the basis of investment in equipments.