Chandigarh, December 25
Cabinet Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion and NRI Affairs, Government of Punjab, Sanjeev Arora, met Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi, in New Delhi on July 21, 2025, and sought urgent support for strengthening Punjab’s MSME ecosystem, with special emphasis on the sports goods sector clustered in Jalandhar.
During the meeting, Arora highlighted that Punjab’s sports goods industry has significant export potential, but continues to face key challenges related to technology upgradation, product development, testing facilities, and compliance with global quality standards. He specifically urged the Ministry to approve the establishment of a Technology Extension Centre (TEC) of the Process cum Product Development Centre (PPDC), Meerut, at Jalandhar—a proposal that had been pending with the Ministry of MSME for over eight months, despite the State Government having already provided the required infrastructure.
Acceding to the request, the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, on December 18, 2025, issued an official communication through the Principal Director, Aditya Prakash Sharma, calling for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and execution of the lease deed for setting up the approved Technology Extension Centre at the Government Institute of Leather and Footwear Technology (GILFT), Jalandhar. The approval has been accorded under the Hub & Spoke Model, with the TEC to be mentored by PPDC, Meerut. The MoU is scheduled to be signed on January 5, 2026, in Jalandhar.
As per the communication, a total built-up area of 11,166 square feet, spread across the Ground, First and Second Floors of the GILFT building, has already been earmarked for establishment of the centre. The Technology Extension Centre will provide critical support services including advanced product and process development, technology transfer, testing facilitation, skill development, and handholding support to MSMEs, particularly units engaged in sports goods and allied manufacturing.
Welcoming the decision, Arora thanked the Union MSME Minister for the timely intervention and stated that the Technology Extension Centre would prove to be a game-changer for Punjab’s sports goods sector by enhancing competitiveness, improving quality standards, and boosting exports. He added that the Punjab Government remains fully committed to extending all necessary support to ensure early operationalisation of the centre. The initiative reflects strong Centre–State coordination aimed at strengthening MSMEs, promoting innovation-led growth, and reinforcing Punjab’s position as a leading manufacturing and export hub.
