(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Oct 16 (KNN) MSMEs have to adopt Lean, Green and Quality practices as indispensable strategies for survival, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Speaking on popular SME Express show aired by ZEE Business, Sandeep Kishore Jain, President of Federation of Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (FISME) emphasised that principles of Lean and Green are no longer optional but critical investments for future-ready businesses.

“Being lean is, in my opinion, very essential”, he added.

Replying to Saurabh Manchanda, SME Editor of ZEE Business on the session topic 'Importance of Lean and Green' he further noted that lean models help businesses minimise waste, streamline processes, and build resilience against market fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties.

Highlighting the volatility of global supply chains and raw material prices, FISME President stressed that MSMEs must prioritise operational efficiency.

He urged entrepreneurs to view green practices as investments rather than costs, emphasising their long-term value.

“This is not a cost. This is a journey that we have to undertake, and it is an investment in our future,” he remarked, underscoring the shared responsibility to ensure clean air and water for future generations.

Jain outlined several key measures to accelerate India's green transition.

First, enhancing awareness and policy monitoring: Recognising that green policies exist but awareness remains limited, he said,“FISME plans to conduct cluster-level workshops to improve understanding and track the impact of subsidies, including those under the Green MSME Policy.”

Second, de-risking financing: he emphasised the need for affordable financing, suggesting that“cheap loans at one or two percent interest” would enable MSMEs to adopt sustainable models without excessive financial strain.

Third, establishing a dedicated Green MSME Fund: Jain proposed a Rs 5,000 crore fund to support enterprises leading in sustainable practices, providing both financial and technological assistance.

Advocating rooftop solarisation, FISME President identified energy costs as a major concern for MSMEs. He emphasised that solar adoption offers a quick return on investment (three to five years), after which power effectively becomes free.

For MSMEs lacking roof space, he suggested joining cluster solar villages or exploring inter-state power trading models.

Citing data on the recent 160 percent rise in rooftop capacity-reaching 2.8 GW-he declared,“Solar is the way forward.”

Reiterating that product quality is fundamental, Jain asserted,“Quality is a given in today's time. Quality is a necessity. It is not an option.” He warned that enterprises failing to uphold quality standards will not survive in today's competitive environment.

He also underlined the importance of worker participation in ensuring quality excellence, urging owners to involve employees in identifying and implementing process improvements.

“We should take suggestions from them and reward successful ideas,” he said, advocating for a culture of continuous improvement across all levels of the organisation.

Concluding his remarks, the FISME President described the integration of lean efficiency, green sustainability, and quality excellence as the 'winning formula' for global competitiveness.

“If you put a blend of Lean and Green on top of that, nobody can stop you. You will be foremost in the world,” he affirmed, citing the Tirupur model as a successful example for other MSME clusters to emulate.

Recognizing the importance of lean and green, Government of India is also assisting MSMEs in their adoption through schemes such as MSME Competitive (Lean) Scheme, MSE-SPICE Scheme and GIFT Scheme.

(KNN Bureau)

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