SME Futures Editorial
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged the industry to utilise Rs 1 lakh crore Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) fund to foster innovation and create a research-based ecosystem in the country.
The talented youth should also be tuned to the mindset of experimenting and developing new ideas under this government initiative, Goyal said during his keynote address at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) event in the national capital.
“The initiative will help India develop the research and development ecosystem and will evince interest from the industry leaders,” he said and urged the participants to provide suggestions in making the processes to get funds outcome-oriented and time efficient.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), established under the ANRF Act 2023, has been launched to drive research and innovation across India in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP). Aiming to foster a robust culture of scientific inquiry and creativity, ANRF will play a pivotal role in transforming the nation’s research ecosystem. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), previously responsible for much of India’s research funding, has now been integrated into ANRF. With an ambitious funding target of ₹50,000 crore set for 2023-2028, the foundation seeks to provide critical support to innovative initiatives and scientific advancements nationwide.
He also advocated bringing in private sector institutions to be part of the industry-academia-government partnership in fostering innovation and collaboration with the industry to meet the needs of the people and spur exports.
Goyal also highlighted that the initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government such as Digital India, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – SAUBHAGYA, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Ayushman Bharat and others contributed to India’s rapid transformation. Further, the minister complimented FICCI for organising an award category “Excellence in Swachh Industry Parks” to promote cleanliness at industrial parks across the country and noted that cleanliness is closely aligned to economic development, job creation and employment.
Goyal urged the industry leaders to play a more proactive role and work closely with the government in their agenda to reduce compliance burdens and decriminalise laws detrimental to businesses which will lead to improvement in ‘Ease of Doing Business’. “FICCI has to be the feedback mechanism to help the Centre do its job better,” the Minister noted. Emphasising the need to raise quality standards in the country, the Minister urged FICCI to tap into its technical committees and appoint a representative from every industry to ensure standards are maintained.
“This way, quality standards will be more practical, and useful and will help India be recognised as a quality producer of goods and services. India will not only be a trusted partner but also a provider of quality goods,” Goyal told the gathering.
