<span style="color: #222222;">Minister for MSME Nitin Gadkari has stressed the need to focus on import substitution to replace foreign imports with domestic production. He also urged enterprises to make use of technology and mentioned that Research, innovation and quality improvement can play a major role in industrial development. Mr Gadkari was addressing meetings held today through video conferencing with the representatives of Young Presidents Organization, India SME Forum and other enterprises from various sectors from Nagpur.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Regarding revival of MSME sector, the Minister mentioned that industry should lay special focus towards export enhancement and necessary practices be adopted to reduce Power cost, Logistics cost and Production cost to become competitive in the global market. Mr Gadkari mentioned that while the Government has allowed certain industry sectors to start functioning, it also need to be ensured by Industries that necessary preventive measured are taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He emphasized on usage of PPE, Masks, sanitizer, gloves etc and advised to maintain social distancing while resuming the offices or business operations.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister recalled that Government of Japan has offered special package to its industries for taking out Japanese investments from China and move elsewhere. He opined that it is an opportunity for India and which should be grabbed.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister who has the portfolio of Road Transport and Highways, said that work on Delhi-Mumbai Express Way has already started and it is an opportunity for industry to make future investments in industrial clusters, industrial parks, smart villages and urged that such proposals be submitted to NHAI.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He also requested that all efforts should be made to make payments of MSMEs immediately and all Government Departments have been given such directions.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">During the meeting, the representatives expressed concerns regarding various challenges being faced by MSMEs amid COVID-19 pandemic made suggestions and requested support from the government to keep the MSME sector afloat.</span><br />''