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Small and Medium Industries Development Organisation (SMIDO) - Mauritius
Source: Small and Medium Industries Development Organisation (SMIDO)
The Small and Medium Industries Development Organisation (SMIDO) is the prime support institution for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mauritius.
It was established under the SMALL AND MEDIUM INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION ACT 1993 as a para-statal body.
It aims at fostering the growth and development of SMEs in Mauritius.
Feasibility Study Grant SchemeThe Feasibility Study Grant Scheme aims at boosting the start up of new Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and encouraging existing ones to expand and/or diversify. A grant, equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the initial operating costs of a feasibility study for a viable project, is available to SMEs. The maximum amount granted is Rs. 75,000.
The feasibility study should be undertaken by a consultant/consultancy firm registered with SMIDO for the purpose of the Feasibility Study Grant Scheme. Applications are considered by a Technical Committee comprising of representatives of SMIDO, Ministry of Housing and Lands, Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft and Informal Sector , Ministry of Finance, DBM Ltd., and, if necessary, a consultant in the appropriate field.
Successful applicants should submit the full feasibility report, together with proof of payment made to the consultant, to SMIDO. Funds would only be disbursed to the successful applicant after registration and implementation of the project within a timeframe of six months.
Skills Development ProgrammesTraining is regularly conducted at SMIDO for both potential and existing entrepreneurs. It is designed to impart the required skills, attitudes and knowledge to entrepreneurs in relation to the setting-up of an enterprise and efficiently managing existing enterprises. Skills development programmes cover the following areas:
The Documentation Centre at SMIDO provides an information service and Internet facilities to entrepreneurs. Various books, guides, periodicals and reports are available.
SMIDO publishes and circulates a number of guides, reports and brochures for SMEs.
The Small Business Catalogue is published once per year and serves as a guide for the setting up of a new business. In addition, it provides invaluable information to existing entrepreneurs contemplating expansion or diversification of their business. Key issues covered include:
Starting a small business
The SME Directory is updated and published on an annual basis to facilitate networking among SMEs and with other stakeholders, viz. suppliers, customers and large firms.
A Technology Guide and a Textiles Guide have recently been published and made available to entrepreneurs.
Business Counselling and FacilitationBusiness Development Officers (BDOs), operating in this department, assist entrepreneurs to craft their business idea, to prepare a business plan and to set up their enterprises. The unit also conduct regular monitoring of SMEs to take stock of their concerns and helping to deal with them effectively.
Technical assistanceTechnical assistance is available at SMIDO Technology Services Centre. Specialised and customised parts are fabricated for SMEs, and, a repair and maintenance service provided. To upgrade technical skills of entrepreneurs, short training courses are organised in areas such as Workshop organisation, Machine operations and Maintenance. Information on new technology and technical advice geared towards increasing the technological capability of SMEs are other services offered.
Technical staff also conduct on-site visits to assist entrepreneurs sort out technical problems and to help in the maintenance of machines.
SMIDO AwardsSMIDO organises the following awards:
These awards aim at enhancing export, innovatory, technological and ICT capabilities of SMEs. In addition, best practices are identified and communicated to other entrepreneurs for emulation.
The Export Awards are meant to reward the SMEs that have achieved substantial and sustained increase in export earnings, given the products manufactured and the size of operations.
The Technology & Innovation Awards reward the SMEs which have made significant advance in the application of technology to a production or development process, leading to increased efficiency and improved product quality.
ICT offers opportunities to SMEs to become more efficient, flexible and customer-oriented. However, many SMEs are still lagging behind larger companies in using ICT. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awards will stimulate the use of ICT by SMEs and are designed to reward SMEs for creative uses of ICT.
A trophy and a cash prize are awarded to the winner and runner-up in each category.
Business ForumsCollaborative efforts between firms from different countries are becoming a common approach to deal with increasing competition and the challenges offered by globalisation and trade liberalisation. SMIDO organises Business Forums to help Mauritian entrepreneurs to contract business deals and joint ventures with their counterparts in other countries.
Such forums are meant to achieve the following targets:
A number of studies on various issues are conducted for the benefit of SMEs.
A "Comparative Review of Incentives" is currently conducted by
SMIDO. This study covers five countries, namely, Mauritius, India, South Africa,
Malaysia and Singapore.
A new package of incentives will soon be proposed to ensure the survival and
growth of Mauritian SMEs
A study called "Design of Project Profiles for SMEs" will also be carried out by National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training (NISIET) of India. At least ten business profiles will be proposed to induce investment.
A survey of training needs of SMEs will soon be conducted to provide input to the design of future training programmes
ICT SupportSMIDO provides advice and consultancy on computerisation and ICT needs. Training sessions and awareness programmes on ICT are conducted for SMEs to help them take advantage of the opportunities offered by recent developments in the ICT sector.
An ICT Guide is currently being prepared for SMEs. An ICT Training Centre is planned for this year to consolidate assistance to SMEs in this area.
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