The “make in India” dream can get real if domestic small and mid-sized industries network with their counterparts in other countries for technology and global markets. This was the refrain at a conference for small industries here on Monday.

Compared to China, India is insignificant on the global manufacturing map. This is mainly because local MSMEs (micro, small and mid-sized enterprises), who are vital for local manufacturing, lack technology and access to international markets, several speakers at the event said.

Chidananda M. Rajamane, president of conference organiser Karnataka Small Scale Industries’ Association (KASSIA), urged small entrepreneurs to build links to succeed in a competitive and borderless global market.

A message from Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee highlighted that for the past five years, MSMEs had grown at nearly 11.5 per cent and outpaced industrial growth rates of 7.8 per cent.

The MSME conference for technology and marketing was co-hosted by the State government, city-based Rangnekar Institute of Management Studies & Research, Brenau University, U.S., Laghu Udyog Bharathi and other industry bodies.

Highlighting the importance of SMEs, Harsha Kestur, RIMSR director, said most jobs in Karnataka and export growth came from readymade garments and not IT.

S. Sadagopan of III-B and William Lightfoot of Brenau University spoke.