India Development Solutions

Mr. V. N Prasad was formerly Economic Specialist with American Embassy, New Delhi; External collaborator with ILO projects; Senior Economic Advisor, World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises. A Post-Graduate in Economics and have specialised in Economic and Marketing Research. Have over 38 years of experience in studying industrial sector, particularly the issues related to SME development, identifying business opportunities and conducting research studies and preparing reports. Has been associated with over 18 economic and market research studies (field-based) while working with Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi and World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), Noida, Uttar Pradesh. These included Export potential surveys, Demand studies, Overseas market surveys, Institutional framework for exports, status and capabilities of specific sectors and policy-related aspects. Have had represented WASME at various national, including then SSI Board, and international meetings

Consultancy Assignments: Labour Regulations for SMEs in India for Institute for studies in Industrial Development, New Delhi, 2005-06.

External Collaborator to Sub-regional Office in Asia of ILO: Project on Review of Policy and Regulatory Framework for SMEs in Uttar Pradesh, India (job involved preparation of an Integrated Report) 2004.

Research Studies: Directed three field-based studies on SSI sector in India for developing appropriate policies and programmes.

Papers at International Conferences:

• Fostering Growth of SMEs: Some Recent Initiatives in Select Countries,  XVth WASME International Conference on SMEs, Abuja, Nigeria, July 2004
• Strengthening Policies through International Cooperation at International Roundtable on Enabling Growth and Innovations in SMEs in Helsingborg, Sweden, International Network for SMEs (INSME), Italy, February 2004.
• Improving the Competitiveness of SMEs through Business Development Services, Competitiveness Key to SME Development Agenda, Aqaba, Jordan, December 2003.
• Building a Cadre of Rural Entrepreneurs WASME Experience, XIVth International Conference on SMEs, Tel-Aviv, Israel, September 2003.

Also delivered lecture on Role of NGOs in Promoting SMEs at International Course on Comprehensive and Integrative Public Support Systems for SMEs A Central Factor of Development Policy organised by NISPED - InCep-SME, Israel.
Publications: Edited World SME News a WASME Magazine and several Reports of WASME Conferences.