Odisha signs MoU with Iran’s KEC for new tech; to focus on women-led MSMEs
The Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises (OASME) and Khazar Electric Company (KEC) from Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transfer of technology and production of equipments for agriculture, food processing, and waste management, according to media reports.
The MoU was signed on the fourth day of MSME International Trade Fair 2019, during the session on ‘Promoting Women Entrepreneurship’, which saw an overwhelming participation from more than 300 women entrepreneurs, exporters and startups.
LN Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Ministry of MSME, said, “There are 40,892 MSMEs led by women entrepreneurs in the state providing employment to 1.58 lakh persons. Further, 6,032 micro enterprises led by women entrepreneurs have been assisted with a margin of Rs 142 crore under PMEGP since 2008-09.”
He also noted that 38 MSMEs led by women have been extended capital investment subsidy of Rs 4.5 crore by the state government. He encouraged women entrepreneurs to come forward and take help of the entire ecosystem to further growth of their business.
Sujata Kartikeyan, Commissioner and Director, Mission Shakti, Odisha, said the challenges for women entrepreneurs were standardisation of products, branding, delivery of bulk orders, arrangement of aggregators, and marketing tie-ups.
The MoU with KEC could address some of these challenges by providing new technology and equipment to boost production capabilities.
Sujay Kar, Deputy Director, ORMAS said, “812 Producer Groups are operating with ORMAS. The right marketing tie-ups, value addition, packaging, backward and forward linkages are essential factors for marketing and sustenance of a women enterprise.”
JM Mohanty, Chairperson, OASME Women Wing, stressed on the challenges that are not related to production. She said, “The other problems faced by women entrepreneurs arise due to lack of collateral, and lack of knowledge in marketing and finance.”
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