Women’s Day: Kerala Announces Big Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
On the International Women’s Day, Kerala Government unveiled major schemes to support women entrepreneurs in the state including raising of the loan limit for women under the ‘We-Mission Kerala’ initiative of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) to Rs 50 lakh from Rs 25 lakh with a five percent interest from April 1.

Announcing the decision at the women entrepreneurs’ meet organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce here on Wednesday, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir P Rajeeve said the doubling of the loan amount will help women entrepreneurs under ‘We-Mission Kerala’ project to scale up their businesses.

Also, the moratorium period under the scheme, aimed at identifying, supporting and promoting women entrepreneurs, will be raised to one year from the current six months, the Minister said.

Rajeeve also announced a composite grant of Rs five lakh for women cooperative societies, which will be available to the co-operative societies that commence operation in April or the existing ones that are planning for modernisation and technology advancement.

The Minister also said from April 1, 2023, women entrepreneurs can avail the facilities at the incubation centre at Kozhikode by giving 50 percent rent.

The meet, which brought together women entrepreneurs from all parts of the state on theInternational Women’s Day, came within the larger framework of various programmes planned as part of the ‘Year of Entrepreneurs’. It focused on the current entrepreneurial friendly environment and policies offered by the State.

Rajeeve launched the digital version of ‘Vyavasaya Keralam’ magazine and portal for ED club registration at the event.

Minister for Health and Women and Child Development Veena George, who inaugurated the meet, said when a woman becomes an entrepreneur, people around her are also being empowered. In order to build a woman-empowered society, women have to become job providers, the Minister said.

Noting that women entrepreneurs are the role models of the society, Smt. Veena George said Women Development Department is conducting training programmes in all 14 districts to encourage and nurture entrepreneurship among women.

On the occasion, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J Chinchurani inaugurated the promotional film of PMFME.

In her address, Chinchurani said a lot of women have come forward for setting up dairy farms and ventures in the animal husbandry sector. She added that the government is extending all support for women to become entrepreneurs.

In his special address, Department of Industries and NORKA Principal Secretary Suman Billa, said education of women, their participation in workforce and helping them to become entrepreneurs are important to transform women as wealth creators.

Director of Industries and Commerce, S Harikishore, said the department will announce district and state-level awards for the Best Women Entrepreneurs of the last financial year in May 2023.

V K Prasanth, MLA; Aparna Poduval, Vice president, KSSIA, Thiruvananthapuram; Bincy Baby, Vice Chairwoman, IWN Kerala, CII; Reshmi Maxim, Representative of FICCI; and Sapnu George, Representative of TiE Kerala, were also present.

Lauly MV, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Kottayam, welcomed the gathering while Simi Chandran VR, Assistant Director, Industries and Commerce Directorate, proposed thanks.

More than 43,000 women have started new ventures in the state as part of the Year of Entrepreneurs initiative. Over 500 women entrepreneurs from different parts of the state participated in the entrepreneurs’ meet.

In the special session on ‘Sharing Experiences of Women Entrepreneurs,’ women entrepreneurs shared their journey and experiences. Smt. Smita P, Assistant Director, District Industries Centre, Thrissur, and Smt. Sheeba. S, Manager, District Industries Centre, Alappuzha, were the moderators.

The entrepreneurs also showcased products at the expo held on the sidelines of the meet. Also, stalls highlighting various services for entrepreneurs were set up by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, KSIDC, K-bip and ONDC.