CHAPTER-3

INFORMATION FOR INDUSTRY

Information is regarded as a vital input for the small-scale industry

but none of the polices described here have made any mention about this

important resource. It is evident that the constant flow of information

ensures healthy growth of the industry and also contribution in enhancing

the profits and benefits. It is recognized that information categorized as

scientific and technological information, natural resources data, and socio-

economic data is essential for furthering productivity, development and

innovation. Information is needed by planners, policy-makers, managers,

technologists, researchers, trainers, investors, consultants, entrepreneurs

as well as marker as analysts and decision-makers. The type of

information they need is also of considerable diversity. It includes socio-

economic data, information on current plans and projects, financial data,

marketing data information technology, equipment, management

practices, ongoing industrial and technological research, technology

transfer and legislation. Such information which has to be recent and

continuously updated has to be obtained from a large number of sources

within the country at the central, state and district levels and event at the

global level. The rapidly expanding volume of information presents

problems of access and cost of acquisition to the ultimate user.

60
Information Needs of Industries

In modern times information for industries has gained great

importance. Industry, being a very dynamic and complex system has to be

managed on scientific lines for development in the face of competition and

the tremendous technologies changes and innovations that are taking

place. Management of industry requires recognition of economic

psychological and sociological factors affecting. It entails planning,

directing, controlling, decision making, motivating, forecasting, undertaking

operational research using variety of statistical techniques and so on so as

to ensure productive and gainful operation. Proper information and

guidance are required for the small-scale industries for their

establishments, functioning, regular supply of raw materials, production,

marketing the products and diversification of the industries. To meet these

information needs the government has established Small Industries

Service Institute and a network of sub units in many of the major cities and

towns. Apart from these, there are many other organizations, which cater

to the various information needs of the industries at different stages of its

production.

Information Problems in Small Scale Industries

Unlike the heavy industries, the information needs of the small scale

industries are rather slightly different in nature, whereas the former is more

interested in acquiring the regular published information for their Research

& Development activities, the later is for acquiring information for their

routine functional activities and solving problems related to the day-to-day

61
production and marketing sides. The small industries information center

should collect information for the possible queries and supply it on

demand to the entrepreneurs. Apart from providing such information, they

should render referral services. These services will help the

entrepreneurs, administrators and decision-makers in taking suitable

decisions in starting new industries and for their effective management,

promotion of production and quality control, marketing goods and

diversifying the production in the most profitable manner.

Problems of Access to Information

In spite of the increasing number of organization and institution

being set up of successful implementation of development programmes

and exponential rate of generation of information seems to be an elusive

commodity for, the average small entrepreneur. The entrepreneur need,

but seldom gets, reliable and timely information to make decision, solve

everyday problems, improve methods, and expand and diversity

operations and adopt technological changes. Paradoxically, much of the

information the entrepreneur seeks is often available and exists in various

Government, developmental and regulatory agencies/departments,

research and development institutions/laboratories including those for

industry groups, financial institutions and investment centers, industry and

trade associations, universities and institutes of technology, statistical and

economic intelligence bodies and special information centers, libraries and

data banks.

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Types of Information

The type of information required by the small-scale industries can be

grouped, by and large under the following headings:

1. Scope and Prospects for Industries: Items reserved for small

industry sector, items having good prospects in the area, banned

industries, item for subcontracting, port substitute items, products

having export potential, items in short supply, items getting

government priority, items successful in the country.

2. Location Land and Building: Location of growth centers,

availability of and, availability of sheds in industrial estates, type of

sheds, infrastructure facilities water, transport communication,

power market, special facilities required, factory building,

dimensions drawings layout, cost, rent and owing.

3. Machinery and Equipment: Capacity, specification, description,

models of machinery and equipment needed, local availability and

importation, sources of supply and cost, capacity for spare time

jobs, performance, available of second hand machinery, hire

purchases schemes, leasing out.

4. Raw Materials: Composition and specifications for raw materials,

standards, quality and quantity required, availability, quantity

required, supply sources, cost.

5. Transportation: Transport facilities for raw materials and financial

products.

63
6. Staff and Labour: Availability of skilled labour, training institutions,

personnel selection policies and methods, wage rates, labour laws,

participation in management.

7. Finances: Cost per month working capital requirements, total

investment estimates, break even point, sources of finance, terms

and conditions, seed capital facilities, Government concessions and

incentives, rate of interest, payment and repayment conditions.

8. Regulation and Procedures: Industrial policy of Government, rules

and regulations, procuring letter if intent, licenses and permits,

sanction of sheds in industrial estates, procurement of machinery,

power connection, patents, trade marks registration, Government

incentives, import licensing policy, scarce raw materials

procurement, financial assistance, national financing organizational

loan procedure, obligations and terms and conditions on loans.

9. Market Strategy: Marketing channels, subcontracting, ancillary unit

development, dealer’s performance, concession, shop in open

market publicity, distributions centers, bulk purchasing agencies,

Government stores purchase procedures.

10. Technological Developments: Technological information is an

integral part of, and an essential link in the technology transfer

chain. It is necessary for the design, selection, installation and

improvement of processes, materials equipment services and

methods, and for the successful adaptation of foreign technology to

64
 local conditions and to stimulate indigenous technology. Exchange

of technological information can among countries and also

contribute to the strengthening of local capability.

INFORMATION SOURCES

The information on these divergent aspects gets generated from the

Government and autonomous institutions falling under the core and

peripheral areas of small industry. The description of the prominent

institutions are presented here.

Government Institutions

Small Industrial Development Organization under the Ministry of

industry functions as an apex body in formulating the policy and

coordinating the institutional activities both at the central and state levels

for implementing the programs for development of small-scale industries.

It provides a comprehensive range of facilitates and services including

consultancy in techno-economic, managerial, training common facility

services common processing and testing facilities, tooling facilities and

marketing.

It provides these services through a network of 27 small industries

service institutes (mostly at state level), 31 branch institutes, 40 extension

centers 4 regional testing centers, 3 product cum process development

central footwear training centers, 4 production centers and 20 field testing

stations.

65
State Level Directories

Each state has a commission rate of Industries with its branches in

each district known as District Industries Centers for implementing the

programmer as state and district level.

In 422 districts of the country, district industries centers have been

established to assist the entrepreneur under one roof the technical

guidance, project reports, credits and other essential information relating

to small scale industry.

Other Institutions

In each state the institutions like small-scale industries development

corporations and technical consultancy organizations have also come into

being for development of small-scale industry.

NATIONAL SMALL INDUSTRIES CORPORATION (NSIC)

NSIC promotes small-scale industries by providing supply of

machinery on hire purchase, enlistment of small-scale units for

participation in the Government stores purchase program, distribution of

raw material, marketing of small industry products and extension of

marketing assistance at institutional level. It also provides the facilities

through its four-proto type development training centers at New Delhi,

Rajkot, Howrah and Madras.

Financial Institutions

A network of state financial corporations, National small industries

corporation, State small industries corporations commercial banks,

cooperative banks, regional rural banks, provide financial assistance to

66
small Industries Development Bank of India (SlDBI) act as apex bank and

extends assistance to small industries through various schemes.

Export Promotion Councils

Export promotion councils for different products and commodity

boards have been created to assist the small industry in export of their

products.

Training Institutions

A number of training institutions at National level has been

established to impart training to the small industry community For

example; National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training (NISIER)

at Hyderabad, Central Institute of hand tools, Jallandhar, Institute for

Electrical Measuring Instruments, Bombay, Integrated Training center,

Kamal and others. Ad-hoc training programs are offered by the state as

well as local institutions as part of their activities.

Research and Development Centers

The chain of laboratories under CSIR, universities and other

research and development institutions,' make available their research

findings to the industrial community. The standard formulated of bureau of

Indian stands, the patents registered with the patient office, are also

sources of technological developments.

In addition to these similar institutions in order countries and also

the institutions at regional and international levels are in service of small

industry. Such institutions include UNlDO international levels are in service

of small industry, such institutions include UNlDO International Trade

67
Center, Intermediate Technology Development Group, World Bank, and

volunteers in technical Assistance, IDRC, OECD, ILO and other similar

bodies.

Information Facilities

The board spectrum of institutions coming under the umbrella of

small-scale industries continuously generate information and data in the

form of publications. Such publications constitute valuable sources of

information and the small industry community needs them for taking

gainful decisions. Small enterprise is really small and cannot effort to

acquire, organize and retrieve. It is therefore beyond the scope of the

small enterprise to venture for such a big task.

Information System for Small Scale Industry

The ultimate object is to reach out with appropriate information

required by the entrepreneurs so that they may use and benefit in their

endeavors. But hardly any information reaches them. They are not aware

of the availability of information and the right sources from which they can

tap information then their extension, Directorates of Industries, financial

institutions. These centers do have information, but it is highly

unorganized and scatted in the files As a result of this, the entrepreneurs

are not able to get holistic picture of information for their problems.

Small Industries Development Organization is the apex body, which,

to a large extension, is catering to the information needs of the small-scale

industries in the country. It disseminates information on Government

policies and programs, concessions and facilities available to the existing

68
and prospective entrepreneurs. It also publishes the monthly journal

‘Laghu Udyog Samachar' in English and Hindi. A manual on procedures

for small-scale industries was published in 1987, which indeed is a voluble

reference tool for small-scale industries. SIDO also participates in

international Exhibitions and Trade Fairs assimilating and disseminating

technical information in important areas.

The National Instate for Entrepreneurship and small Business

Development (NIESBUD) was established in New Delhi in July, 1983. The

institute organizes and conducts training programmers for motivators,

trainers and entrepreneurs and also coordinates, training activities of

various institutions and agencies. It also under takes documentations and

research in the field of entrepreneurship. Further, it conducts seminars,

workshops and conferences for officers. This institute has wealth of

information in its library. Certain of the associate institutes like SENDOC

are widely known for their information series to the development of small-

scale industries.

Yet there are vital needs to establish a national information system

for small-scale industries with the objectives of coordinating the activities

of various information centers in the field of small-scale industries. Further

there is a need to strengthen the activities of information centers at state,

regional and district levels. Such as National System would help will

providing in pointed exhaustive and expeditious information service to the

various organs in the small scale sector.

69
Information and Formulation of Policies and Programmes

Multi-Objective Goals: In the kind of complex dynamic context mentioned

above, an industrial enterprise finds it necessary to formulate multi-

objective goals and programs, those that ensure its productive as well as

gainful operation. The formulation of such integrated policies and

programmes necessitates a compelling use by the enterprise of

information of different kinds and originating at various points.

New Directions

Availability and application of information can influence the

business-industry at various points and in a variety of ways. Here are

some examples.

(a) The range of choices for the industry will be widened to an

appreciable extent. The movement from one area of operation to

another or the process of diversification will be easier and will

entails a lesser degree of risk. For, on the basis of the information

available, management decision models for planning and operation

can be tailored to the enterprises concerned together with an

alternative future perspective. This enhances the capacity of an

enterprise to examine alternative policies against the framework of

the environment of its operations. In turn, this will help the

introduction of new organizational structures and measures

conducive to better performance in consonance with the

environmental changes.

70
(b) Availability of relevant information can reduce the time lag between

identify problems and finding solutions to them. That is, structuring

of each problem can be done in a helpful way conducive to finding

solutions.

(c) The quality of staff functions improves with greater certainty of

productive and gainful results. Until recently, quality of staff function

has largely been based on individual's ability. Staff expertise was

relatively limited to the knowledge and the skills of expert

individuals. Developments in information systems have helped to

shrink time and distance such that managers are enabled to draw

upon and interact with the experts of widely dispersed groups. In

this new configuration of industry-information system complex,

individuals and groups participate as active elements and, hence

have a determining influence on the design, implementation,

direction, success and failure of the enterprise. For instance,

information systems provide consumers quick and effective means

of anticipating and reacting to firm's policies, decisions, products

and services, and make their influence felt on a continuous rather

than adhoc basis.

(d) Information helps improving a firm's competitive position by making

it aware of the need to develop new products / services to satisfy

the changing demands of society.

71
(e) Despite or because of the accelerated growth of knowledge, a well

designed information facility helps to extend the perceptivity and

creative ability of managers and other staff of a company by

providing them with analytical framework of the major factors

influencing or likely to influence their work.

(f) In the business and industrial operations that are becoming

increasingly more complex, information will help senior executives

in:

· Formulating Multi-objective Goals

· Planning Multi-objective integrated Programs

· Determining the changing inter-relationship between business,

government and the rest of the society

· Controlling and regulating the orderly and smooth introduction of

new technologies and innovations:

· Identifying and analyzing complex new market challenges and

opportunities and

· Identifying and promoting appropriate facilities needed for

problem solving and decision making within the industry and

between the industry and other sectors of the economy.

g) Timely access to relevant data and information can help to increase

productivity in industry by minimizing unnecessary and unintended

duplication of effort and by providing a context for the triggering of

new lines of work and ideas.

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NEW STATUS OF INFORMATION

As a Resource: Increasingly information is coming to be regarded as a

national resource. Unlike other resources, it is indivisible and is not

consumed in the process of use. Information is a prerequisite for the

proper organization and optimal allocation of all other resources. In this

sense, therefore, information is the most valuable of all resources since it

can program/control the production and utilization of other resources.

As a Measure of Contribution of Company: In the context of the

growing intimate contact between industry and rest of the society and the

conception of information as a form of wealth or resource there is a

change in the concept of" Profitability" of a Company. Beyond the cost

accounting of company Profits, a new estimate of the Value of a

Company's contribution to society is the quality and quantity of knowledge

and information it creates and makes available for the advancement of

society. Further, the business-infrastructure can be an important

information and resource base for making changes in policies and

programmes and introduction of new technologies not only in the industry-

business sector, but also in the Government and other Sectors.

Indicator of Progressiveness of Company: A Policy of deliberate search

for ideas on new products, processes, techniques and tools in considered

as an important characteristic of a progressive and dynamic firm. In a

British Checklist of 24 characteristics of technically progressive firms, the

following have a high rating:

73
 a) Provision of Good information sources and services for its

employees

b) Readiness to seek knowledge and information from external

sources

c) Willingness to share knowledge – technical, commercial and

managerial.

d) Willingness to share knowledge on license and to enter into join

ventures

e) Effective internal coordination and communication, and

f) Deliberate surveying for potential ideas.

INSTITUTIONAL LINKS, INFORMATION FLOWS

A wide range of organization and agencies, in the public and private

sectors are directly or indirectly involved in the development of industries,

especially the small scale enterprises. The small enterprise receives a

variety of assistance – finance, know-how, information, advice, equipment

etc., from the different agencies, or it may have to operate according to

regulatory measures formulated by some of them. Therefore, in designing

an information system for small industries, it is essential to analyze and

understand these interlinks among such agencies on the one hand and

between them and the small enterprises, on the other. In preparing profiles

of these agencies, details of the type of services, assistance, etc provided

by them should be studied. Further, the analytical profile should give

information on elements such as the following:

74
 · What kind of information is being generated, by which unit or by

whom and for what purpose in the organization;

· What information is transmitted to which other agency, in what form

and at what frequency;

· Does the information flow accompanies/parallels the

assistance/advisory service pattern from an agency to the

enterprise;

· What information is received/demanded by an agency from a small

enterprise;

· How is the information is received by an agency from another

agency or the small enterprise handled, processed and used;

· What data and information would be most useful to each agency in

order for it to be able to provide optimal assistance to the small

enterprise;

· What documentation is available about the structure, programs,

services and activities of each of these agencies;

· What are the contact points, information, flow/channels etc. to each

of the agencies.

Such information would also help in establishing networks and

resource/sharing arrangements among various institutions and agencies

and between them and the small enterprises.

75
 The diagrams presented here, illustrate the variety of interlinks

among various institutions and agencies and between them and the small

enterprises.

Banks

Banks and similar financial institutions provide the following types of

service to small enterprises.

· Financial assistance;

· Economic and technical advice and information;

· Advice and information on the small industries sector e.g. scope and

prospects for small industries, technical know-how, marketing etc,

and

· Research and development facility liaison with related organizations.

For executing its functions, such as, examining the economic

viability and technical feasibility of project proposals submitted by small

entrepreneurs, the bank collects information from different sources.

Small industries service institute (SISI) other banks in the industrial

estates, entrepreneur's bankers, local chambers of commerce, customers

of the small industries, state directorates of industries, etc.

Information is collected and used by the bank for monitoring the

progress of the small industries, which it finances. At the same time the

bank also generates promotional literature, pre-sanction reports,

inspection reports, monthly and quarterly reports, etc. These can be useful

sources of information for the entrepreneur and other agencies concerned

76
with the development of small industries. Figure-1 illustrates a bank's links

with small enterprises and other organizations.

List of Abbreviations used in the figures:

CGC = Credit Guarantee Corporation
NSIC = National Small Industries Corporation
RBI = Reserve Bank of India (Central Bank)
SENDOC = Small Enterprises National Documentation Center
SFI = State Financing Corporation
SIDO = Small Industries Development Organization
NISIET = National Institute for Small Industries Extension Training
SISI = Small Industries Service Institute
SSIDC = Small Scale Industries Development Corporation
TDA = Trade Development Authority

SISI CGC SFC & Other

Financial
Agencies
Dept. of
Industries
Judiciary

RBI & other

Income Tax
Banks LOCAL BANK Department

Reg. office or
Local Bank Local People

Small Customer of
Chambers of
Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs
Commerce

Fig 1: Institutional and Human Interlinks of a Local Bank

State Department of Industries: The links established by the state

department of industries (especially in the constituent states) with various

organizations are intended, to support its programmes to promote

entrepreneurship and small industries. The objectives of the links are

indicated in Figure-2.
77
 SISI NSIC Small
SIDO
Entrepreneurs

State Owned
Dept. of Corporations
Small Industries
Board & Small Industries
Scale Industries SSIC, SFC,
Committee SSIDC, ADA

SECRETARIAT DEVELOPMENT
Policy Planning &
Formulation Implementation Other Govt.
Depts.
Banks

Trade & District State

Industry Development Financial
Agency Committee Board

Fig 2. Links of the State Department of Industries

Small Industries Service Institute: The links and information flow

patterns between a Small Industries Service Institute (SISI) and the Small

enterprises as well as other organizations are presented in Figure 3.

SIDO SENDOC Financial

Institutions
NSIC
Small
Entrepreneurs
SISI
Dept. of
Industries
Other Central
Govt. Depts.
Other State
Small
Govt. Depts.
Entrepreneurs

Fig 3: Institutional Interlinks of SISI

78
 The objectives of the links are as follows:

1. To collect and/or provide technical, developmental, regulatory and

marketing information.

2. To formulate general policies for the Department of Small Industries

and to coordinate assistance programmes operated by

governmental agencies

3. To provide technical consultancy services, common facilities,

extension service etc.

4. To train management and technical trades

5. Assistance in modernization and technological development

6. To provide guidance in the procurement of machinery, factory

space, finance, marketing and participation in government stores

purchase programme etc.

7. Basically, four types of information are needed for the promotion

and development of small scale industries. These are

· Technical Information

· Developmental Information

· Regulatory information

· Market Information

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate inter-institutional flow patterns of technical

information, developmental information, regulatory information and market

information respectively. Figure 8 summarizes the institutional links based

on information flow.

79
 SIDO, SISI

Government
Departments

Financial
DOCUMENTARY Institutions
& NON- SENDOC
DOCUMENTARY
SOURCES Small
Entrepreneurs

Others

Collection Utilization

Fig 4: Technical Information: Flow Pattern

SISI
District Industries
Offices
Department of
DATA BANK Industries
Manufacturing
OF
Units
SIDO
Small
Entrepreneurs
Annual
Surveys
Collection Others
Utilization
Processing

Fig 5: Development Information: Flow Pattern

SISI
Central SIDO
Government
Departments Departments of
Docume
ntation Industries
Centre
Small
Entrepreneurs

State SISI
Government Departments of Others
Departments Industries

Collection Processing Utilization

Fig 6: Regulatory Information: Flow Pattern

80
 Surveys
SIDO, SISI

SISI
NSIC, STC

TDA
Small
NSIC
Entrepreneurs

SIET
SIET

Departments
Departments of
of Industries
Industries

Others
Collection Processing Utilization

Fig 7: Marketing Information: Flow Pattern

Central
Manufacturing
SIDO Government
Units Agencies

District
Other Nodes of
Industries
Information
Offices Network
SISI

Departments of Small Enterprises

Industries

Other State Finance Agencies

SENDOC
Government
Departments

Fig 8: Institutional Links through Information Flow

81
 INSTITUTIONAL LINKS
LINKS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIES
1 Small Industries
Development Organization
(SIDO)
2 Small Industries Service
Institute (SISI)
3 National Small Industries
Corporation (NSIC)
4 Small entrepreneurs
5 State Corporations for
Industries
6 Other Government
Departments
7 State Planning Boards
8 District Development
Committees
9 Trade & Industry
Departments
10 Banks
11 Small Industries Boards and
Committees
For Coordinating overall policy.
Planning and rendering assistance &
advisory service. Infrastructure
development : assistance in
Programme implementation
For providing· techno-economic
services, management & technical
training programmes, technical
consultancy services
For Infrastructure development and
assistance in implementation of
programmes
For receiving applications for major
assistance, examining technical
feasibility and economic viability, and
providing advice in this regard
For determining financial outlays and
programmes. Referring to Department
of Industries for Stores purchase,
Infrastructure development and
financial aid.
For referring to other appropriate
government departments by the
Department of industries on behalf of
the state Corporations for stores
purchase, infrastructure development
etc.
For formulation of development plans.
For Promoting & Developing activities
in the Small Industries Sector
For formulating policies and
programmes for implementation
For providing information on technical
and economic feasibility, verification
of loan applications referred to it by
banks. Refers loan applications to the
directorate of industries for technical
and economic feasibility verification.
For coordinating overall policy,
planning boards and rendering advice.
82
INFORMATION FOR PROMOTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL
SCALE INDUSTRIES
Information Sources Information For / On
1 Agents, dealers, and Scope and Prospects for industries; demand
distributors and market for products; market strategy;
raw materials; technical aspects
2 Documents Technical aspects; raw materials,
machinery, utilities
3 Competitors Demand and Market for Products; raw
materials; technical aspects
4 Consultants Technical aspects; machinery; raw
materials; financial aspects
5 Customers, Consumers Demand and market for products; market
strategy; technical aspects; raw materials;
financial planning
6 Employees Skilled labour; raw materials; some
technical aspects
7 Established entrepreneurs Demand and market for products; scope
and prospects for industries; utilities;
financial aspects; raw materials;
manufacturing aspects
8 Exhibitions Machinery, raw materials; techniques
9 Self-experience Scope and prospects for industries; demand
and market for products; land and building
for factory; machinery; technical aspects;
financial planning; utilities
10 Banks, financing Financial planning; finance
organizations
11 Friends Land and building for factory; scope and
prospects for industries in the area; human
resources; market and marketing; financial
aspects; raw materials
12 Government bureaus, Scope and prospects for industries in the
information centers area; demand and market for products;
regulations; financial aspects; land and
building for factory; raw materials; utilities
13 Newspapers Human resources; marketing; land and
building for factory; machinery; financial
aspects
14 Small Industry advisory Financial aspects; machinery; raw materials;
Bureaus scope and prospects for industry; demand
and market for products; utilities; land and
building for factory; human resources;
technical aspects; regulations; procedures
15 Training Institutes Human resources; technical aspects
16 Industry associations, Demand and market for products; utilities;
chambers of Commerce financial aspects; technical aspects

83
 ESTABLISHING OF SMALL SCALE UNIT

Information on Source of Information / Contact Point

1 Technical Assistance Business information bureaus. Trade associations.
and industrial Specialized library/information service to industry.
information in general Government agencies for promoting small enterprises.
International agencies such as UNIDO. Bilateral and
regional development aid agencies
2 Overall feasibility A variety of techno-economic and feasibility reports are
prepared by such agencies as the following: a) State
and Central Govts.; UNIDO, UNDP, ILO and other
international and regional bodies; b) Theses &
dissertations; c) Large Industrial undertakings; d)
Management and industrial consultants; e) Research
papers in journals, conference proceedings, technical
reports, etc.
3 Sources of finance Stock exchanges, banks and financing orgns.
(industrial financing corp.; refinancing corp.; national
industrial development corp.); company share holders;
investment directories; information centers.
4 Consumer demands Sales and distribution agencies. Chambers of
and Preferences commerce. Market research bodies. Overseas trade
commissions and agents. Trading Corporations and
subcontracting agencies.
5 Human Resources, Employment exchanges. Universities and technical
Recruitment, training, training institutes. Facilities for in-plant training,
welfare apprenticeship. Trade Unions; joint consultations.
Periodical interviews. Work councils. Govt.
Regulations.
6 Supplies & Services, Suppliers of raw materials. Equipment manufacturers
Equipment, Water and importers. Engineering consultants, Marketing
bodies. Chambers of Commerce. Trade associations.
7 Special professional Legal. Accounting and auditing. Patent, Insurance.
services (a large co. Publicity, Security, Safety. Health. Environment
may have its own Protection
facilities)
8 Sales promotion, Distributors, Selling agents, Export Promotion bodies.
marketing Trade exhibitions and fairs. Trade assns., Appropriate
Govt. directorates.
9 Regulations: Local, Municipal authorities in regard to municipal laws. Govt.
State and Central bodies, such as, Ministry of Industry and Commerce,
Trade associations Ministry of Labour, Factory Inspectorate, Ministry of
Health and Environment etc. and appropriate acts and
laws. Standards bodies. Productivity councils.
Consumer protection bodies. Employers associations (
wage agreements); and trade associations (trade
agreements)
10 Research and Facilities for sponsored research and cooperative
Development facility research. Universities; national scientific and technical
councils : national research laboratories, analytical and
testing facilities Technology Centers. Research
association. Professional societies. Published
documents; databases.

84