Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said a dedicated unit in the state industries department will be formed soon for catering to patent-related needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"My government will soon open a patents unit in INDEXT-B (Industrial Extension Bureau) for the security of knowledge and innovation of SMEs in the state," Modi said, addressing a convention on 'Growth through Competitiveness' on the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS).

Emphasising the importance of smaller industries and entrepreneurs in achieving high industrial growth, he asked SMEs to shed "defensive approach" and start aggressive branding and marketing with a focus on capturing the share of global market.

"First ensure the safety and security of your innovative product by registering its patent and then start constantly thinking about how to sell that product in the international market by adopting aggressiveness instead of defencive approach," he said.

Modi also said that small-scale industry was the growth engine for Gujarat. "Growth of the SME sector nationally is 19 per cent whereas in Gujarat SME sector is growing at 85 per cent. This is the sector which has helped the state to generate maximum employment," he said.

Citing statement of a central government official, he said, "In the last five years, of the total jobs created in the country, 75 per cent employment was generated by Gujarat and in that SMEs have played a vital role."

He also assured the representatives from the sector, who were present in an impressive number, to promote `need-based skill development' instead of `tailor-made skill development'.

"In this state we have provided employment to everybody except politicians ... They are unemployed for past 15 years," he quipped.

Earlier, Modi presented awards to 25 MSMEs for their innovations, quality and environment-friendly measures, productivity, etc.