MSME Ministry Launches Three Initiatives To Propel Women Entrepreneurship
In a decade marked by visionary leadership and concerted efforts to foster inclusive growth, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in women entrepreneurship. Addressing the ninth Annual Shakti International Women Entrepreneurs Summit in New Delhi, Union Minister for MSME, Narayan Rane, celebrated the unprecedented rise of women entrepreneurs in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, attributing it to better policies and an enabling environment cultivated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rane proudly announced that over the past decade, the number of women-led MSMEs has soared, surpassing 1.40 crore establishments. He emphasized the government's commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs by making Zed Certification for women-owned MSMEs entirely free, thus eliminating barriers to entry and fostering a conducive ecosystem for their growth.
Highlighting the pivotal role of initiatives aimed at nurturing women entrepreneurship, the summit witnessed the launch of three impactful programs:
'Panjikaran Se Pragati': A joint integrated national campaign by the Ministry of MSME and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), urging women entrepreneurs to register under the Udyam scheme and unlock a plethora of opportunities awaiting them.
'WEP Unnati - Udyamita se Pragati tak': This pioneering initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of MSME and WEP, introduces the Award-to-Reward (ATR) program. Designed to propel Women MSMEs towards exponential growth, it provides comprehensive capacity-building support through WEP, ensuring their holistic development.
The Mentorship Platform: Under the aegis of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), this platform fosters mentorship opportunities, facilitating knowledge exchange and skill enhancement among aspiring and established women entrepreneurs.
The summit, graced by eminent personalities including S.C.L. Das, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Anna Roy, Senior Advisor at Niti Aayog, Mercy Epao, JS – SME, and Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, Additional Development Commissioner, Office of DC-MSME, served as a convergence point for women entrepreneurs, industry experts, and government leaders from across the nation.
With International Women's Day as its backdrop, these initiatives not only empower aspiring and established women entrepreneurs but also celebrate the achievements of emerging women leaders across diverse industry sectors. It embodies the collective resolve to build a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial landscape, where women thrive and lead the charge towards a prosperous future.
