The government has given a principle nod to the suggestions of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) to launch a ten-year National Manufacturing Initiative to focus on firm level and macro economic initiatives required to make domestic industry globally competitive. The Prime Minister has assured time-bound implementation of the recommendations of the NMCC through a mission mode. A Manufacturing Competitiveness Mission will be launched to ensure implementation of policies recommended by the NMCC by relevant ministries, the PM has stated.

It was also agreed that the NMCC should review periodically the implementation of its recommendations by various stakeholders. The policy work of various ministries related with manufacturing sector is to be co-ordinated through an apex mechanism on the lines of the existing Trade and Economic Relations Committee.

The Government of India will take up on a priority basis with State Governments the issue of upgrading and increasing training institutions for blue-collar, skilled and semi-skilled workers. The fourth meeting of NMCC and the subsequent briefing of the recommendations of the council before the PM also recognised the urgent need to quantitatively and qualitatively improve the supply of labour force in a wide range of industries. State Governments will be encouraged to promote public-private partnership in the management of industrial training institutes (ITIs). The action plan suggested by NMCC includes the preparation of a national level strategy paper on manufacturing, taking up sub-sectors having immediate potential for gains in terms of growth, market share, employment and identify impediments for initiating suitable action, in-depth examination of generic issues cutting across most sub-sectors (e.g. HRD/ Training, Innovation, Taxation, etc.); and ensure more state level participation.

As Pharmabiz had reported earlier, the NMCC sub-group on pharmaceutical industry had suggested the formation of a technology upgradation fund for drugs sector. It had also suggested rationalisation of various taxes in the pharmaceutical sector.