Shri. Desai invited all the women self help groups or Mahila Bachat Gat in rural areas to take advantage of this ambitious policy. Government of Maharashtra is developing 52 industries clusters across the state. “In future, we are also willing to develop clusters dedicated for women entrepreneurs,” the minister added.

Shri. Desai also encouraged women to take 100% ownership of sick industries and rehabilitate them. He further asked the Department of Industries to make suitable amendments to the policy to encourage women entrepreneurs.

Reassuring the government’s support to women entrepreneurs, he said, “We are willing to help women entrepreneurs in every possible manner to increase their industry participation. Women should aspire for such great heights that men need reservation some day in future”.

“I invite all women entrepreneurs to seek clarification through Government of India’s MAITRI Portal, which is a single window interface for the industry.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Praveen Pote Patil, Hon. Minister of State (Industry and Mining), Government of Maharashtra suggested that women should participate in the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make in Maharashtra’ (Magnetic Maharashtra) initiatives. “Women are the capital of the nation. Women without education and from small villages have been doing incredible jobs. This is an occasion to celebrate such women and motivate others to participate in the vast ocean of opportunities lying ahead of them. Elaborating this further, he said “We have provided training to over 28,000 women in the last three years and if women acquire self confidence, no one can stop them”.

Sharing his views on this occasion, Shri. Satish Gavai, Additional Chief Secretary (Industry), Government of Maharashtra said, “In order to promote women’s participation in trade and industry, there is a need for change in the mindset of the society. When the mindset changes, women can progress without any support from government. Let us deliberate today to remove the male dominance from the society.”

In his address, Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, Development Commissioner (Industries), Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra shared key highlights of the state government’s dedicated industrial policy for women entrepreneurs. “This is the first-of-its kind policy that offers women entrepreneurs capital subsidy upto 35% at a concessional rate of interest. The policy also offers subsidy on cost of power. Further, the policy allots reserved spaces for women entrepreneurs in malls, commercial complexes and MIDC areas. The policy also offers additional benefits for women to set up industries in backward areas such as Marathwada and Vidharbha.”

Under the policy, Government of Maharashtra has eased the process of filing patents by women entrepreneurs. The government also subsidises the cost of overseas travel and participation in international exhibitions by women entrepreneurs. Government of Maharashtra is planning to introduce a venture capital fund for financial support to women-owned industries.

Speaking about the eligibility criteria for taking benefits under this policy, Dr. Kamble said, “In order to prevent misuse of this policy, the government allows only 100% women-owned industries to claim benefits under this policy.”

On this occasion, successful women entrepreneurs shared their inspiring stories filled with struggle and challenges and motivated aspiring women entrepreneurs to pursue their passion with courage and determination. The successful women entrepreneurs who shared their experience at the event were Smt. Kalpana Saroj, Managing Director, Kamani Tubes and Smt. Poonam Soni, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Poonam Soni Signature Line.

Smt. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai proposed vote of thanks. Ms. Naik said, “Government of Maharashtra must support women entrepreneurs to participate in foreign trade missions, international trade fairs and other global events.”

During the event, women entrepreneurs with exemplary contribution to trade and industry were felicitated by Hon’ble dignitaries. The women felicitated were Ms. Ankita Shroff, Founder, SAV Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Deepti Jaiswal, Founder & Owner, NULYFINDIA, Ms. Smita Jadhav, Proprietor, Nutan Industries, Ms. Arundhati Joshi, Managing Director, Plazma Technologies, Ms. Pooja Ahire, Director, Vinimax Industries, Pune and Ms. Mumtaj Pathan, Director, Alamprabhu Garment Cluster, Osmanabad.

The Inaugural Session received overwhelming response from more than 600 women entrepreneurs representing varied sectors as garment, textile, engineering, electronics and other industries from Maharashtra.    

Hon’ble dignitaries at the inaugural session of State Level Conference on Women Entrepreneurs. (From Left to Right) Smt. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai, Smt. Kalpana Saroj, Managing Director, Kamani Tubes, Smt. Archana Kochhar, Designer & Chief Executive Officer, Archana Kochhar, Shri. Praveen Pote Patil, Hon. Minister of State (Industry and Mining), Government of Maharashtra, Shri. Subhash Desai, Hon. Minister of Industry and Mining, Government of Maharashtra, Shri. Satish Gavai (I.A.S.), Additional Chief Secretary (Industry), Government of Maharashtra, Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, Development Commissioner (Industries), Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, Smt. Poonam Soni, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Poonam Soni Signature Line, Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI)