Objectives of National Manufacturing Policy

The government of India decided to introduce the National Manufacturing Policy to bring about a significant and quality change with the following six objectives:

• To increase the growth of the manufacturing sector to 12-14% over the medium term to make it the engine of growth for the economy. The 2 to 4 % differential over the medium-term growth rate of the overall economy will enable manufacturing to contribute at least 25% of the National GDP by 2022.
• To increase the rate of job creation in manufacturing to create 100 million additional jobs by 2022.
• To create appropriate skill sets among the rural migrant and urban poor to make growth inclusive.
• To increase domestic value addition and technological ‘depth’ in manufacturing.
• To enhance the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturing through appropriate policy support.
• To ensure the sustainability of growth, particularly with regard to the environment including energy efficiency, optimal utilization of natural resources and restoration of damaged/ degraded ecosystems.

Significance of National Manufacturing Policy

• India skipped the second stage of economic transition(i.e., primary sector takeover of the primary sector) and became a service economy predominantly. The manufacturing sector’s share in the Indian economy is stuck at 16%. The National Manufacturing Policy aims to increase the share of the manufacturing sector to GDP from 16% to 25% by 2022.
• This is a comprehensive policy for the promotion of the manufacturing sector in the country.
• NMP helps in improving the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by providing incentives for their growth.
• Industrial training and skill up-gradation measures for the young workforce.
• NMP proposed rationalisation and simplification of business regulations to reduce the burden of procedural and regulatory compliance on businesses.
• It aims to set up Financial and institutional mechanisms for technology development, including green technology.
• A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be constituted by the State Government to discharge the functions specified in the policy.
• Mechanisms may be developed for the cooperation of public or private institutions with government inspection agencies under the overall control of statutory authorities.
• Support to PPPs in Infrastructure in the form of capital grants at the stage of project construction will be given as per the Viability Gap Funding guidelines.

Difference between NIMZ and SEZs

The NIMZs are envisaged as integrated industrial townships with state-of-the-art infrastructure; land use on the basis of zoning; clean and energy-efficient technology; necessary social infrastructure; skill development facilities etc. to provide a productive environment for persons transitioning from the primary to the secondary and tertiary sectors.

The main objective of Special Economic Zones is for the advancement of exports. While NIMZ is based on the idea of industrial growth that involves collaboration with the local government. NIMZ is also different from SEZ in other aspects such as level of infrastructure planning, and regulatory procedures: