CM Naidu sets target of creating 5 lakh women entrepreneurs in AP
Amaravati, Oct 5 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to step up efforts to economically empower Self-Help Group (SHG) members and set a target of creating five lakh women entrepreneurs across the State.
Reviewing programmes for developing women entrepreneurs and the ‘Swayam AP’ initiative with SERP and MEPMA officials at his camp office, Naidu asked officials to extend full support to SHG members and seek assistance from corporate organisations.
He said women interested in self-employment should also be encouraged to take up franchise opportunities and called for creating wider markets for products made by DWCRA women.
Naidu directed officials to develop ‘Swayam AP’ as a common brand for thousands of products made by DWCRA women, supported by standardised quality, modern packaging, e-commerce platforms, signature stores and an integrated marketing system.
Officials said a comprehensive plan had been formulated around five key areas, including creating a support system for women from the village level to global markets, identifying business opportunities, providing financial assistance, capacity building and business management training, and developing an integrated entrepreneurship plan involving more than 60 organisations.
The plan includes loans amounting to Rs 68,585 crore, while successful women entrepreneurs would mentor those entering business for the first time.
Special district-level camps would also be organised to help achieve the target of five lakh women entrepreneurs.
Officials said incubation programmes were being implemented to transform rural women’s businesses from livelihood activities into wealth-creating enterprises.
In collaboration with institutions including IIM Visakhapatnam and Centurion University, women entrepreneurs were being provided mentorship, market access, credit, resources and business skills.
Stree Nidhi, the banking institution focused on women, had provided loans of Rs 4,800 crore to 4.73 lakh women, officials said.
They said SHG women were currently producing more than 23,000 products across sectors including food, handicrafts and textiles.
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