Government of Sikkim Department of Commerce and Industries

It is important to highlight that Sikkim’s economy has grown as a consequence of the government’s constant effort. Sikkim’s Department of Industries has been instrumental in promoting rapid industrial growth in the state. As the number of unemployed rises in tandem with the expanding population, the Department of Industries has devised a set of policies aimed at restoring some order to the situation.

The following is a rough estimate of the government’s success in promoting the Sikkim Industry:

• Sikkim’s government is reviving the Food Preservation Factory
• For example, the establishment of Sikkim Temi Tea Consultancy Services, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, SIDICO, the New District Craft and Handloom Centers, and so on
• Programs like the Border Area Development Project, Industrial Growth Center, Rural Artisan Training, and Entrepreneurship Development Programs are also in place

Sikkim Industries List

Industry is critical to the state’s economy in Sikkim. The industrial sector in Sikkim has grown rapidly in recent years. The state of Sikkim is currently a major industrial centre.

Sikkim had long been an agricultural culture, but recent years have seen a dramatic shift. Sikkim’s industrial output has exploded in recent years, thanks in large part to the state’s booming sociopolitical landscape.

Sikkim’s industries include the following, to name just a few:

• Pharmaceuticals.
• Eco-tourism (Hotels).
• Food Processing.
• Breweries.
• Cosmetics.
• Security Ink.
• Mattress.
• Corrugated Boxes.

Sikkim’s government has awarded a number of licences to help the state’s industry go forward in their globalisation efforts.

The Directorate of Industries was created by the Sikkim Government in 1977 with the primary goal of promoting and growing industries in the state of Sikkim. A number of goals were achieved by the Directorate, including training local youth in various handloom and handicrafts techniques, setting up training centres in various parts of the state, and ensuring that ethnic products like thanka paintings, wood carving, etc., could be self-sufficient and reliant on their own abilities to produce them.

For the local youth who had previously been completely reliant on government and agriculture for employment, the Directorate also gave financial aid to the state’s up-and-coming businesses.

Small Scale Industries in Sikkim

The Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act,2006 defines SSIs as MSMEs. The statute classifies industrial and service industries based on their investment in plant and machinery. Small-scale unit ownership might be solo or shared.

A small-scale unit is usually a one-man show, and even in a partnership, the active partner handles most of the work. Personalize these units. The owner makes all business choices. Small units serve local or regional demand. Small-scale units have minimal resources, thus they can only operate locally. Small industries are labor-intensive with low capital investment. These units are best for economies with little capital and ample labour.

Small-scale units utilise local or indigenous resources and can be located anywhere labour and raw materials are available. Small units use local resources and can be distributed. Small-scale development in rural and backward areas fosters balanced regional development and prevents rural-to-urban migration of job seekers. Small-scale enterprises can mobilise savings and entrepreneurial skill from rural and semi-urban areas unaffected by large industries.

Sikkim is a rising small-business state. Sikkim’s Commerce and Industries Department promotes commerce and industry. Sikkim Industrial Development & Investment CorporationLimited (SIDICO) promotes, finances, and develops SSI throughout the state. Sikkim’s primary industries include ecotourism, handicrafts, silk reeling and processing, medicinal plants, floriculture, tea, spices, honey, and biotechnology.

Sikkim Industrial Area List

Sikkim Precision Industries Ltd.

The Sikkim Precision Industries Ltd. (SPIL), Boomtar – Namchi, was envisaged in March 1998 when the Chief Minister wanted a project to be built at Namchi for the industrial development of South & West Sikkim and to provide gainful employment to the people of these districts. A high-tech project fit for Sikkim was found, and a new Public Sector Company was formed to undertake it. The MD of SITCO was appointed as SPIL’s managing director and assigned the duty of implementing the project.

SPIL was founded in 2001. Project cost 369.48 lakh rupees. Sikkim’s industry employs 102 people and will grow in the next years. Sikkim Precision Industried Ltd. produces 100 lakh TO-202 power devices every year. 100% capacity usage is projected.

Sikkim Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Ltd.

Since its inception in 1977, the Sikkim Industrial Growth & Investment Corporation Ltd. (SIDICO) has served as the state’s primary financial institution for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the state of Sikkim. In addition, the company has provided soft loans/seed capital support and taken part in the capital of its selected ventures as a shareholder.

Additionally, SIDICO is serving as the nodal organisation for the execution of the Chief Minister’s Self-Employment Scheme as well as a comprehensive Educational Loan Scheme for the people of Sikkim.

This organisation is also responsible for disbursing funds to the various departments involved in export infrastructure development as part of SIDICO’s Allied Activities Funding Scheme (ASIDE).

Government Fruit Preservation Factory

Sikkim’s orange-growing region is home to the Government Fruit Preservation Factory, which was established in 1956 with a one-time expenditure of Rs 1.00 Lakh and located in a valley near Singtam. It was the first step in Sikkim’s industrialization.

It’s a government-owned business that sells a variety of goods under the “Sikkim Supreme” brand and has an annual revenue of about Rs. 3.5 crores.

Sikkim Khadi & Village Development Board

Sikkim Khadi & Village Industries Board was formed in 1978 to promote and expand Khadi and village industries.

Khadi is any cloth made on handlooms in India from cotton, silk, wool, or a blend of these yarns.

SKVIB’s main goal is to expand its activities, increase the number of craftsmen, boost profits, adopt institutional funding, improve quality, reduce costs, and create village jobs. The Board has developed training-cum-production centres throughout Sikkim.

Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts

Directorate of Handloom & Handicrafts was founded in 1957 to promote and preserve Sikkim’s traditional arts and crafts. The Directorate combines instruction and manufacturing at 20 facilities in Sikkim, starting with one in Gangtok. A Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. was founded to promote excellent products and create jobs and opportunities for artisans. These products have export potential.

DHH participates in state and national craft festivals in Gangtok.

Conclusion

A major reason for creating Department of Commerce & Industries was to attract national and international business into the small state of Sikkim by offering various incentives and subsidies to encourage them to invest in the state and play an active role in its economic growth. As a result of this, India’s economy will be able to compete with other states and tackle the growing problem of joblessness. It covers a wide range of industrial activity.

The Commissioner-Secretary serves as the Department’s chief executive. Headquartered in Gangtok (East Sikkim), the Department of Industrial Development has two District Industries Centers, one in Gangtok and one in Jorethang (South District), which span the entire south and west districts.