AN INTERACTIVE SESSION ON FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA With Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Minister of State in the Government of India for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

In an interactive session on Fostering Entrepreneurship in India, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Minister of State in the Government of India for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries addressed FLO members and stressed on the importance of the MSME sector, explaining that the contribution of MSME industry in manufacturing is 45 percent, in export is 20 percent, and in GDP is 28 percent.

“This the second largest sector after agriculture in terms of job creation. If the MSME sector suffers, it will directly impact the economy of the country,” he said. HE further said that the MSME sector will see radical transformation in the days to come, providing employment opportunities to both poor and the youth

Technology should also be given importance as it is one of the reasons that increases employment. He mentioned that Khadi Industry should be given importance. He said that in some part of the country’s women are now provided with Solar Charkhas which has become a boon to the women living in the backward areas which has increased employment; hence, women are becoming more and more independent. He said a famous line by Mahatma Gandhi, “Production should be by masses and not mass production.” He meant that each and every person should contribute to accomplish a given task and there should be more research and innovation.

FLO President, Harjinder Kaur Talwar said, “MSMEs play a significant role in the national economic development of any country. They provide majority of new jobs and produce much of the creativity and innovation that fuels economic progress. Considering the enormous potential of the small sector, it is imperative to facilitate growth in this sector. FLO is an integral part of the process of creating an enabling environment for women in business and endeavours to contribute effectively towards this growth agenda of the nation.”