Delivering the inaugural address at the XI International Conference on Small & Medium Enterprises organised by the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), Alexander said the SSI should graduate out of the present level of being looked after by the government in the shortest possible time.

The three day conference has 250 speakers, business delegations and participants from over 100 countries. Around 150 speakers are from India. Technology upgradation, impact of WTO and its implications, impact of euro on small and medium firm and export promotion are the main objectives of the conference.

The conference will also focus on finance and banking, international trade, information technology, development issues and opportunities and business networking, said AIAI President Vijay GKalantri.

In his welcome address, president of World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) Ki-Jung Ryu said that for the growth and promotion of small units, he said that the government should create appropriate business environment and support such units with legal, social, economic and institutional back-up to cope with various difficulties like lack of capital, outdated technology, shortage of skilled manpower and inexperienced management.