Bhubaneswar: On the 4th day of MSME International Trade Fair-2019, the session on “Promoting Women Entrepreneurship” received an overwhelming participation from more than 300 women entrepreneurs, exporters and startups. On this occasion, an MoU between Odisha Assembly of Small & Medium Enterprises (OASME) and Khazar Electric Company (KEC) from Iran was also signed for mutual cooperation for transfer of technology and production of equipments for agriculture, food processing, agriculture and waste management in presence of ACS, MSME.
Delivering a special address on this occasion, Shri L.N. Gupta, ACS, MSME informed that there are 40,892 MSMEs led by women entrepreneurs in the state providing employment to 1.58 lakh persons. He added that 6032 micro enterprises led by women entrepreneurs have been assisted with margin money of Rs.142 crore under PMEGP since 2008-09. Also, 38 MSMEs led by women have been extended capital investment subsidy of Rs.4.5 crore under Odisha MSME and Odisha Food Processing Policy by the state government. He encouraged women entrepreneurs to come forward and take help of the entire ecosystem to further growth of their business. He also announced a system of resolution of credit related grievances at the level of General Managers of RICs/DICs on every Monday.
Mrs. Subha Sarma, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary, Handloom, Textiles & Handicraft Department, highlighted the potential for women enterprise in Textile & Handicraft Sectors. She stated that the gap in supply of Institutional uniforms/apparel and training opportunities in Incubation Centre starting from sewing to marketing may be leveraged by prospective women entrepreneurs. She emphasized on fusion of innovative ideas in traditional Handicrafts and invited the Women Designers to come forward for partnership with Boyanika. She also highlighted opportunity for aggregators to act as marketer for Handicraft products and adoption of value based packaging practices for Handicrafts.
Mrs. Sujata Kartikeyan, IAS, Commissioner-cum- Director, Mission Shakti, Odisha shared success stories of Women SHGs. She informed that Mission Shakti is associated with 70 lakh women in 6 lakh SHG Groups. The cumulative savings of Odisha SHGs is Rs. 5000 Crore. She cited the unique integration of SHGs under Mission Shakti with Government programmes, namely, Mid-day Meal, Take Home Ration, Electrical Meter Reading, and driving training to women. She pointed out the challenges for women entrepreneurs in terms of Standardisation of Product, branding, delivery of bulk order, arrangement of aggregators, & marketing Tie up and invited women MSMEs to be aggregators & mentors of SHGs.
Shi Sujay Kar, Dy. Director, ORMAS informed that 812 Producer Groups are operating with ORMAS. He added that right marketing tie-up, value addition, packaging, backward and forward linkages are essential factors for Marketing & sustenance of a women enterprise. He suggested availing the benefit of District Level Training Programme for Primary & secondary collectors conducted in sectors like Agri- Horticulture, Handloom & Handicraft Sector.
Miss Reemly Mohanty, Founder of Reemly’s Design Studio, while sharing experience of bringing up her own enterprise, made a vivid elaboration on Brand Building & Marketing, understanding the customer & their perception, putting thrust on customer services like delivery timely, product protection from competitors & Marketing relations. Miss Jayshree Mohanty, MD, The Luminous Info Ways Pvt. Ltd suggested women entrepreneurs to brand their product and graduate from Startup to MSME and beyond with self involvement. Smt. J. M. Mohanty, Chairperson, OASME Women Wing highlighted the problems faced by women entrepreneurs due to lack of collateral, lack of knowledge in marketing, finance, quality & standard and requested for Govt. support.
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