Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called on the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) to partner with the Assam government to enhance women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship through micro-lending initiatives. Speaking at the 29th foundation day celebration of NEDFi at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, Dr. Sarma highlighted the potential for collaboration under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Scheme.
He outlined the scheme's two-phase approach, which begins with a Rs. 10,000 seed fund for women beneficiaries in the first year to support their business ventures. In the second year, successful women entrepreneurs will receive Rs. 25,000, with half of that amount provided as a bank loan and the other half granted by the state. Dr. Sarma suggested that NEDFi could play a significant role in providing the loan component to these beneficiaries and urged the corporation to thoroughly review the scheme to align with it.
Commending NEDFi's successful micro-lending program, launched in 2022, the Chief Minister noted that 10,891 entrepreneurs have benefited from the scheme, which has opened new opportunities for business growth in the region. During the event, Dr. Sarma also launched a digital mobile app for NEDFi's Micro Lending Scheme, aimed at supporting small enterprises and entrepreneurs in the Northeast.
Dr. Sarma expressed gratitude to NEDFi for its longstanding support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in setting up industrial and infrastructure projects across the Northeast. He emphasized NEDFi's crucial role in providing quick and hassle-free loans that have empowered entrepreneurs to achieve self-reliance. The Chief Minister voiced optimism that NEDFi would continue to expand its efforts in boosting entrepreneurship in the region.
The event also included the felicitation of Padma Shri awardees Sarbeswar Basumatary from Assam and Moirangthem Muktamani Devi from Manipur. Among those present were Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, NEDFi CMD PVSLN Murty, and several other dignitaries.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
