In a significant move for West Bengal, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance quality, competitiveness, and market access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
West Bengal stands out with the highest number of MSME manufacturing units in the country and leads in women-led MSMEs. With around 6.5 crore MSMEs in India employing about 28 crore individuals, these enterprises contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP, manufacturing sector, and exports.
The collaboration between QCI and NSIC aims to combine QCI’s proficiency in quality standards with NSIC’s robust MSME support system to promote the adoption of global quality standards and foster the growth of Indian businesses. This partnership will integrate various national initiatives to provide a unified support framework for MSMEs.
By aligning efforts, the partnership seeks to promote Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Certification, enhance digital market access, bolster testing and accreditation infrastructure, and offer capacity-building opportunities for MSMEs and training institutions. ZED-certified MSMEs will gain access to digital commerce platforms, AI-enabled cataloguing, and export promotion avenues.
The agreement also strengthens the connection between ZED Certification and NSIC’s Single Point Registration Scheme, supporting NABL accreditation for NSIC testing facilities and enabling capacity-building programs for NSIC training centers and laboratories. A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) will be formed to oversee collaboration and progress during the five-year MoU tenure.
