IMPACT OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC ON MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

In India Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) contribute major portion to the GDP. MSME sector is more sensitive one and all the changes in the economy will affect the MSME's suddenly. MSMEs are the most vulnerable sector after the spread of COVID 19. Problems like fall in production, fall in demand, networking problems, reduced profit etc are some major problems faced by MSME's during that time. In this study an attempt is made to identify the level of problems faced by MSMEs in Kerala during COVID 19, awareness of entrepreneurs about initiatives of Government created for revival of MSME entrepreneurs after COVID 19 and the changes made by entrepreneurs in their enterprise for revival of their business units after lockdown. Convenience sampling is used for collecting primary data from MSME entrepreneurs working under industrial estates in Kerala. The study is helpful for authorities to understand the problems in MSME sector and easy revival of MSME sector. Study analysed that, is there any significant difference in problems faced by MSME's before COVID 19 and during COVID 19. It was observed that, MSMEs faced high level of problems after COVID 19 than before COVID 19 and their awareness level about the schemes of Government announced for the entrepreneurs is low. ANOVA, MANOVA, Paired T test, Chi-square test were used in the study.