KOCHI: The State Government is committed to promoting women entrepreneurs by providing their ventures with the required infrastructure, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Speaking after inaugurating the Women Entrepreneurs’ (WE) Summit - 2015, organised by the KSIDC under its Women Entrepreneurship Mission here on Thursday, Chandy also announced that business space would be provided to women entrepreneurs at the Garment Manufacturing and Export Zone being set up at Angamaly.
“Kerala has always been in the forefront of providing education to women. Such initiatives will help bridge the gender gap and bring in positive a change. The State Government will do the needful to protect the local industry by providing basic infrastructure,” said the Chief Minister.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister handed over the first ‘financial assistance sanction letter,’ under the WE Mission, to Falcon Garments managing director Noorjahan.
Speaking on the occasion, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty said the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the State were growing well, and expressed hope that women entrepreneurship should rise to the next level. He further stated that Kerala would soon lead the country in terms of per capita income.
Former governor and Union Minister Margaret Alva in her special address appreciated the WECAN initiative, saying that Kerala has a tradition of empowering women.
“WECAN aims at identifying and supporting 1,000 women entrepreneurs across the State to scale up their existing enterprises. Support will be provided in the form of infrastructure, mentoring, networking and financing options,” said IT and Industries Principal Secretary P H Kurian.
KSIDC managing director Dr M Beena, Hibi Eden MLA, ‘UN Women-India’ deputy representative Patricia Barandun, Federal Bank COO Shalini Warrier, Walmart India vice-president Rajneesh Kumar and Kudumbashree former executive director K B Valsalakumari also spoke.