Foreword

Dear Readers,

Cluster e-News is the electronic version of the previous Cluster News, that many of you have read. This bimonthly newsletter is aimed at providing all those who are associated with cluster development not only with a review of news and announcement of events but also with food for thought. To this end, every number will present a case study.

The case study selected for this first issue relates to the Ludhiana knitwear cluster, where UNIDO completed its four years of intervention. The end of a project is always a moment of balance between achievements and failures. In this issue we share with you the challenges present at the onset of the project, the strategy adopted to face them, the milestones of the intervention and its main results.

Of course this newsletter is a two-way channel of information dissemination and we at the UNIDO Focal Point invite your valuable inputs in the form of articles, feedback and suggestions through email to the Editor.

So write to The Editor, Cluster e-News, unido@del3.vsnl.net.in

Looking forward to your response,

Anita Das
Editor

Special Message

It is heartening to know that the UNIDO Cluster Development Programme Focal Point is introducing the first copy of Cluster e-News.

As you are aware, there is a great deal of interest generated in development of SSI and artisan clusters in the country. Starting from 1996, when only a couple of institutions were engaged with cluster development initiatives we have come a long way, with several institutions and States launching their own initiatives for development of SSI clusters. In fact, “Cluster Development” as an approach for the growth of the SSI sector is one of the most important initiatives launched by the Ministry of SSI to meet the challenges of globalisation.

This boom in interest for cluster development, and the necessity to be constantly updated about the latest development in this field renders this newsletter all the more useful and timely.

I therefore, welcome this initiative and wish it every success.

S.K.Tuteja

Secretary
Ministry of Small Scale Industries
Government of India