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ndia is undergoing structural transformation with manufacturing increasing its role in the Indian economy. Manufacturing now accounts for about a fifth of India 's GDP, contributes 75 per cent of exports, over 50 per cent of FDI and employs 11 per cent of the workforce.

India 's manufacturing base, which is the fourthlargest among emerging economies, is among the fastest growing and has seen more investments as a proportion of gross domestic product than any country except China . Manufacturing excellence

The Indian manufacturing sector has been witnessing a major revival, with a significant turnaround in performance which is reflected in the increase in its growth rate from 5 per cent in 2000-01 to an impressive growth rate of 12.5 per cent in 2006-07. It has continued its growth in the new fiscal by growing at a rate of 10.3 per cent during April-August 2007-08 over the corresponding period last year.

Indian Industry has been witnessing a rise in productivity and adherence to international Quality norms along with increase in investments, exports and production levels. India is amongst the countries with the highest tally for the year with total TPM Excellence Awards - conferred by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance - winners standing at 111. Also, India can proudly claim to have 15 Deming awardwinning companies (amongst the highest tallies worldwide outside Japan ), and one Japan Quality Medal winner.

Small Scale Sector in India

The Small Scale Industry (SSI) Sector constitutes a vibrant and dynamic sector of the Industrial economy of India . This sector has recorded consistently good growth in terms of production, creation of employment and phenomenal growth in exports over the years. Currently, the sector accounts for around 95 per cent of the industrial units in the country, contributing to 40 per cent of the manufacturing sector output and 35 per cent of the nation's exports. Employment in the manufacturing sector has been largely generated by the small-scale sector. In the total manufacturing sector, the share of registered small & medium scale enterprises (SSIs) is 48.8 per cent.

Role of QCI

Quality Council of India has been entrusted with the task to pursue National Quality Campaign to promote Quality. QCI in association with CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and DC-MSME has organised a series of awareness programmes including seminars using overseas experts to educate industries on Quality standards and Quality tools aimed at improving Quality/cost competitiveness. There is a proposal to establish National Benchmarking Centre at QCI to facilitate Indian industries to compare their performance against the data available from an international data base. Besides, it will help the government develop an objective view of industry performance and thereby enabling working out strategies for improvement at national, sector and industry levels. There is also a proposal to establish a centre for the study of impact of compliance of Quality standards on competitiveness. The centre will become an information centre on technical regulations, standards & conformity assessment procedures.

National Quality Campaign by QCI also focuses on Micro, Small & Medium Scale Sector (MSME). The Campaign has been designed to improve and institutionalise Quality and cost competitiveness for MSME. The Campaign integrates modules on:

• System concepts; incorporating business orientation, customer orientation and HR orientation;
• Role of Quality management standards in adding value in building competitiveness;
• Capacity building in applying Quality tools including 7-QC tools, Lean manufacturing principles, TPM, 5S and Kaizen, and,
• IT enabled supply chain management.

QCI in close co-operation with DC-MSME and support from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), shall undertake campaign in mission mode in the current five-year plan.

I wish all the readers of Quality India a very happy and prosperous New Year.