New Delhi: The National Manufacturing Competitive Council (NMCC) has expressed concerns over the impact of appreciating rupee on the manufacturing sector, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"The rupee has appreciated by around 10 per cent in past 12 months, which is hurting the manufacturing sector, especially the SMEs. This is a cause of concern," Dr V. Krishnamurthy, chairman of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference here on Tuesday.

He added that though the Government was looking into the issue, the SME sector needed to be provided with quick relief, as it represented close to 65 per cent of the manufacturing sector.

Dr Krishnamuthy, a former industries secretary, has been associated with managerial excellence during his stewardship of public sector giants BHEL, SAIL and Maruti Udyog when it was jointly owned by the Indian government and Suzuki.