Chief Minister Harish Rawat launched the women entrepreneur portal “Himani” (himani.org) of the State’s
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department at the inauguration of the fourth CII Uttarakhand fair on the Parade Ground here on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that State will fund master craftswomen training for women associated with self-help groups. The State Government will provide a sum of Rs1 crore each year for this purpose, he said.
The CM said that industries in Uttarakhand should come forward to adopt the concept of product sharing. The women entrepreneurs of the State registered on the Himani portal will find it helpful in finding market for their products, he said.
Rawat said, “At a time when our products are being noticed by the people and the State’s brand Himani is building its identity, the expected level of success on this front has not been achieved yet. We will have to establish the identity of our products at the global level. linkages will have to be developed among industries in the State, especially the products of micro and small enterprises should be sold by our industries. An action plan should be drafted for this. The State’s economy can benefit considerably if inter-industry linkage is developed,” said the CM.
He also directed the MSME department to appoint market advisor. Government departments should also check which products made by women’s self-help groups can be purchased by the departments. The agricultural marketing council should allocate space in wholesale markets for sale of products made by women’s self help groups.
Appreciating the MSME department for the Himani portal, the CM said that the portal would prove helpful to women entrepreneurs of the State. Through the portal, the women entrepreneurs will be able to remain in touch with each other while also being able to sell their products directly to the customer. The CM also directed that an action plan be drafted for revival of Khadi Ashrams in the State.
The State MSME minister Harish Chandra Durgapal said that the MSME department is working towards the empowerment of women entrepreneurs of Uttarakhand. He said that the department had launched the Himani portal dedicated to women entrepreneurs to empower the women of Uttarakhand and help them grow stronger, he said. This portal will provide them all the necessary support and information required for an entrepreneurial venture, added the Minister.
CII Uttarakhand State council past chairperson lovelena Mody said that exhibitors are enthusiastic and confident about getting more business from the region. There is a resurgence in the industry and this is reflected in terms of strong economic developments.