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Schemes and Services for SMEs |
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| 1. Registration of SMEs |
SMIDO receives and processes
applications from entrepreneurs for an SME Certificate.
Only manufacturing enterprises, with an investment in
production equipment of an aggregate CIF value not exceeding
Rs.10 million, qualify for registration. Holders of an
SME certificate benefit from the following incentives:
· Corporate Tax Rate of only 15%
· Exemption of Customs Duty on raw materials as
per schedule list
· No Customs Duty on production equipment
email
: counsel@smido.intnet.mu
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| 2. Export Assistance Scheme |
This scheme is intended to
encourage export of SME products. Financial support is
offered to SMEs to enable them forward samples of their
products abroad to prospective buyers. Fifty percent (50%)
refund on airfreight, subject to a maximum of Rs. 2000
twice a year, is provided.
email
: counsel@smido.intnet.mu
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| 3. Feasibility
Study Grant Scheme |
| The 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.
email
: counsel@smido.intnet.mu
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| 4. Skills Development
Programmes |
Training 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:
· Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs)
· Setting-up and Management of SMEs
· Accounting for SMEs
· Costing and Pricing
· Financial Management
· Export Marketing
· Packaging of SME Products
· Inventory Management
· Production and Operations Management
· New Technologies
· Maintenance of production equipment
· Legislation relating to SMEs
· ICT
· Human Resource Management
· Strategic Management
email
: training@smido.intnet.mu
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| 5. Information,
Documentation and Publications |
| 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
· Permits and clearances needed to start a business
· Financial options, incentives and/or expansion
schemes available to entrepreneurs
· SME support institutions and services offered
· Other issues pertaining to the running of a
small business Business opportunities for joint venture
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.
email
: smido@intnet.mu
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| 6. Business Counselling
and Facilitation |
Business 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.
email
: counsel@smido.intnet.mu
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| 7. Technical
assistance |
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Technical 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.
email
: tech@smido.intnet.mu
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| 8. SMIDO Awards |
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SMIDO organises the following awards:
· Export
Awards
· Technology
& Innovation Awards
· Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) 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.
email
: counsel@smido.intnet.mu
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| 9. Business Forums |
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Collaborative 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:
· Increase in favourable trade between Mauritius
and other countries
· Formation of joint ventures to export towards
the SADC and COMESA markets.
· Improved sourcing of raw materials and technology
on better terms
· Demonstration and spillover effects of regional
collaboration of SMEs
· Transfer of technology, job creation and skills
diffusion
email
: mkg@smido.intnet.mu
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| 10. Applied
Research |
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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.
email
: mkg@smido.intnet.mu
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| 11. ICT Support
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SMIDO 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.
email
: it@smido.intnet.mu
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