Kolkata, Jan 10 (IANS): The MSME segment will lead the central government's 'Make in India' initiative, and steps are being taken for the empowerment of the sector, according to MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra.

"The micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) segment will play a key role in our quest of domestic manufacturing and will lead the 'Make in India' programme, turning it into a success," Mishra said Friday night at an event organised here by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

To boost the MSME segment, the government has asked all public sector units to procure at least 20 percent of material from MSME companies, he said.

"There has to be more coordination between the MSMEs and the public undertakings," he said.

According to Mishra, people need to focus on entrepreneurship and not simply aim for the service sector for a job. "We need to nourish the entrepreneurial spirit and not vie for space in services."

Mishra, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha member from Deoria constituency in Uttar Pradesh, also highlighted the need for skilled manpower to lead the growth of the country.

He said the government was taking steps in that direction.

The central government has already built two colleges for entrepreneurship development in Noida and Hyderabad besides several other training centres. The MSME department is providing financial assistance on international cooperation for the sector.