Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched “SAMARTH” a Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2022.
Speaking at the launch event, Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane congratulated women on this occasion and highlighted various opportunities for women in the MSME sector.
“The Ministry of MSME, through its schemes and initiatives, is continuously making efforts to develop entrepreneurship culture among women by offering several additional benefits for women in the schemes implemented by the Ministry”, he said.
He added that women today are creating exceptional and ground-breaking accomplishments in every sphere of life and are optimistic about what the future holds for them.
“With the increased supportive initiatives by the government, we together can usher in a new era in India`s future”, he said further.
What is SAMARTH Initiative?
SAMARTH is a Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women. It was launched by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises on the occasion of Internation Women’s Day.
It seeks to provide women an opportunity to be self-reliant and independent by undertaking self-employment opportunities.
Through the SAMARTH initiative, the Ministry of MSME is focusing on providing Skill Development and Market Development Assistance to women.
More than 7500 women candidates from rural and sub-urban areas will be trained in the FY 2022-23 as part of the SAMARTH initiative.
Additionally, thousands of women will be getting marketing opportunities to showcase their products in domestic and international exhibitions.
What are the key features of the SAMARTH Initiative?
Under the Samarth initiative of the MSME Ministry, the following benefits will be available to aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs:
- 20% Seats in free Skill Development Programs organized under skill development schemes of the Ministry will be allocated for Women. More than 7500 women will be benefitted.
- 20% of MSME Business Delegations sent to domestic & international exhibitions under the schemes for Marketing Assistance implemented by Ministry will be dedicated to women owned MSMEs.
- 20% Discount on annual processing fee on NSIC’s Commercial Schemes
- Special Drive for registration of women-owned MSMEs under Udyam Registration
Also, to enhance the participation of women entrepreneurs in Public Procurement, a special discount of 20% shall also be offered on the annual processing fee on NSIC’s following commercial schemes during the year 2022-23:
- Single Point Registration Scheme
- Raw Material Assistance and Bill Discounting
- Tender Marketing
- B2B Portal msmemart.com
International Conference on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Ministry of MSME organized an international conference – “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs” in association with National Small Industries Corporation and India SME Forum.
The Conference has been organized to provide a platform for existing and aspiring Indian Women Entrepreneurs to gain from the experiences and entrepreneurial journey of the most successful women entrepreneurs from different parts of the world.
The conference also aimed to discuss the best practices and innovation in entrepreneurship with international experts.
A comprehensive presentation on the various schemes being implemented by the Ministry was also made by the senior officials from the Ministry.