Industrial Policies and Development in India: The Role of Manufacturing Clusters

In the last decade the Indian economy has recorded an impressive economic performance. In recent years the industrial sector is gaining more and more strategic relevance. This paper presents recent Indian industrial policies and focuses on the characteristics and the key role of manufacturing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (msmes) clusters within the new industrial strategy. After a brief introduction, the main features of the Indian industrial sector are presented with a focus on the last Five Year Plan (12th, 2013-2017). Then, the main characteristics of Indian msme clusters and policies are analyzed. Finally policy implications of such industrial processes are discussed.