The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has reported a remarkable increase in the share of women-owned MSMEs registered on the government’s Udyam portal. As of December 4, 2023, out of the total 3.16 crore MSMEs registered since the portal’s launch on July 1, 2020, an impressive 37.13% (1.17 crore units) are led by women entrepreneurs.
Rapid Growth from 19.43% to 37.13%
This surge represents a significant leap from the 19.43% share reported as of August 1, 2023, indicating a rapid increase in women’s participation in the MSME sector. Minister of State in the MSME Ministry, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, shared these statistics in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the positive trend.
Government Initiatives and Schemes
Various government initiatives and schemes have played a crucial role in fostering the growth of women-led MSMEs. Schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahila Coir Yojana, and increased guarantee coverage of credit to 85% for women entrepreneurs under CGTMSE have contributed to this encouraging shift.
Amit Shah’s Endorsement and Empowerment Metrics
Home Minister Amit Shah, acknowledging the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, highlighted key achievements. These include over 27.7 crore loans issued to women entrepreneurs under the Mudra scheme, more than Rs 33,000 crore loans sanctioned under the StandUp India scheme, and women-owned MSMEs delivering orders worth Rs 15,922 crore through the government public procurement marketplace (GeM).
In summary, the data reflects a positive trajectory for women in the MSME sector, with government support and focused schemes propelling their increased participation and success.
