In News 

• On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2022, Union Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane launched a Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women ".

Details 

• MSME sector offers plethora of opportunities for women and 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. 
• Shri Rane announced a Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women -"SAMARTH" being implemented by the Ministry to provide them an opportunity to be self-reliant and independent by undertaking self-employment opportunities.
• Through this initiative, Ministry of MSME is focusing on providing Skill Development and  Market Development Assistance to women and more than 7500 women candidates from rural and sub- urban areas will be trained in the FY 2022-23. 
• Besides, thousands of women will be getting marketing opportunities to showcase their products in domestic and international exhibitions.

Under the Samarth initiative of the Ministry, 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
• To enhance the participation of women entrepreneurs in Public Procurement, a special discount of 20% shall also be offered on annual processing fee on NSIC’s following commercial schemes during the year 2022-23:
• Raw Material Assistance and Bill Discounting
• Tender Marketing
• B2B Portal msmemart.com
• Single Point Registration Scheme

Source-PIB