NSIC lays foundation stone for Technology cum Common Facility Centre in Bengaluru

Officials said the Centre will help MSMEs transition toward smarter and more technology-driven manufacturing systems capable of competing in global markets.

to strengthen Karnataka's MSME ecosystem

: In a major push to strengthen India's manufacturing ecosystem and empower small businesses with advanced industrial technologies, the Government of India on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art NSIC Technology cum Common Facility Centre (TCFC) in Bengaluru's Peenya Industrial Area — one of the country's largest and most important industrial clusters.

The ambitious project, being developed by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) with support from the Ministry of MSME, is expected to significantly boost technology access, industrial innovation, skill development and competitiveness for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Karnataka and neighbouring regions.

The foundation stone was laid by Union Minister for MSME Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi and Minister of State for MSME Sushri Shobha Karandlaje in the presence of senior central and state government officials, NSIC representatives, industry associations, bankers, MSME entrepreneurs and stakeholders from the manufacturing sector.

Peenya Industrial Area to Get Major Technology and Skilling Upgrade

The proposed facility will be established in Bengaluru's Peenya Industrial Area, a manufacturing hub that houses thousands of industrial units spanning engineering, electronics, automotive, fabrication, machinery and precision manufacturing sectors.

Officials say the new Centre is designed to bridge critical gaps in:

• Technology adoption

• Product testing infrastructure

• Skill development

• Innovation support

• Industrial automation

• MSME competitiveness

The project is expected to become one of the most important MSME support infrastructure initiatives in southern India.

Government Positioning MSMEs at Centre of Manufacturing Growth

Addressing the gathering, Union MSME Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi said the government is aggressively expanding modern Technology Centres and Common Facility Centres across India to create globally competitive MSMEs and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.

He emphasized that such centres are essential for enabling MSMEs to:

• Adopt advanced manufacturing technologies

• Improve product quality

• Increase productivity

• Expand innovation capabilities

• Generate employment opportunities

"The Government is continuously working towards establishing modern Technology Centres and Common Facility Centres across the country to create globally competitive MSMEs and strengthen India's manufacturing ecosystem," the Minister said.

Industry analysts note that MSMEs contribute significantly to India's economy through:

• Manufacturing output

• Export generation

• Employment creation

• Industrial diversification

• Supply chain development

The sector is increasingly being viewed as central to India's ambitions of becoming a global manufacturing hub.

Industry 4.0 and Advanced Automation to Be Key Focus Areas

One of the major highlights of the upcoming facility is its focus on advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.

The proposed Centre, being developed at an estimated cost of approximately ₹46 crore, will include:

• Advanced material testing laboratories

• Technology-enabled common manufacturing facilities

• Industrial skilling infrastructure

• Innovation and incubation support services

• Industry 4.0 technology solutions

• Advanced drone technology systems

• Industrial automation infrastructure

Officials said the Centre will help MSMEs transition toward smarter and more technology-driven manufacturing systems capable of competing in global markets.

Experts say Industry 4.0 technologies — including automation, robotics, AI-enabled systems, smart manufacturing and digital industrial processes — are becoming increasingly critical for enhancing productivity and export competitiveness.

Karnataka's Industrial Ecosystem to Receive Major Boost

Minister of State for MSME Sushri Shobha Karandlaje said Peenya's status as one of India's largest industrial clusters makes advanced institutional support infrastructure essential for sustaining long-term industrial growth.

She noted that the Centre would act as a catalyst for:

• Innovation

• Entrepreneurship

• Industrial modernisation

• Technology adoption

• Skill development

in Karnataka and nearby manufacturing regions.

Karandlaje also praised NSIC for taking timely steps to address what she described as longstanding gaps in technology access and industrial skilling within the cluster.

Ministry of MSME Focusing on Technology-Led Industrial Transformation

Speaking during the event, MSME Secretary Shri Bharat Khera said the Ministry has consistently prioritised:

• Technology upgradation

• Digital transformation

• Quality enhancement

• Innovation-driven industrial growth

within the MSME ecosystem.

According to Khera, the proposed Centre will provide integrated industrial support under one roof, including:

• Common technology infrastructure

• Testing facilities

• Incubation support

• Training services

• Technical assistance

The government believes such integrated facilities can significantly reduce operational barriers for smaller enterprises that often lack access to expensive industrial infrastructure.

Industry Representatives Welcome Technology Support Initiative

Industry associations and MSME representatives attending the event strongly welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-awaited intervention for Bengaluru's manufacturing ecosystem.

Industrial stakeholders said many MSMEs struggle with limited access to:

• High-end testing equipment

• Product certification facilities

• Advanced manufacturing tools

• Skilled technical manpower

• Innovation support systems

The new Centre is expected to help smaller enterprises improve quality standards and meet evolving domestic and international manufacturing requirements.

MSMEs Seen as Key Pillar of Atmanirbhar Bharat

The project aligns closely with the government's broader vision of:

• Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)

• Viksit Bharat (Developed India)

through domestic manufacturing expansion and technological self-reliance.

Officials say strengthening MSME competitiveness is critical for reducing import dependence and enhancing India's global manufacturing position.

The Centre is also expected to support startup incubation and entrepreneurship development, particularly among young innovators and manufacturing-focused enterprises.

Bengaluru Emerging as National Manufacturing and Innovation Hub

While Bengaluru is globally known for its technology and startup ecosystem, officials say industrial clusters such as Peenya continue to play a crucial role in India's manufacturing economy.

Peenya Industrial Area houses thousands of MSMEs engaged in sectors including:

• Engineering components

• Aerospace manufacturing

• Electronics

• Automotive systems

• Precision tools

• Fabrication and machinery

The addition of a modern common facility centre is expected to strengthen the cluster's long-term technological competitiveness and industrial sustainability.

Government Accelerating MSME Infrastructure Development Nationwide

The Peenya project forms part of a larger national effort to establish advanced MSME support infrastructure across India.

The Ministry of MSME has increasingly focused on:

• Common Facility Centres

• Technology Centres

• Industrial skilling institutes

• Digital manufacturing support

• Startup incubation hubs

• Innovation ecosystems

to modernise India's MSME sector and improve global competitiveness.

Officials believe these investments will be critical in helping Indian MSMEs adapt to rapidly changing global manufacturing trends driven by automation, digitisation and supply chain transformation.

Centre Expected to Drive Employment and Industrial Innovation

The NSIC Technology cum Common Facility Centre at Peenya is expected to emerge as a major hub for:

• Technological advancement

• Industrial innovation

• Entrepreneurship development

• Skill enhancement

• MSME empowerment

Industry experts say the project could significantly improve productivity and technological readiness among MSMEs while generating new employment opportunities in high-skill manufacturing sectors.

As India intensifies efforts to become a leading global manufacturing destination, projects such as the Peenya Centre are increasingly viewed as foundational infrastructure for the next phase of industrial growth.