Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, inaugurated a call centre 'Udyami Helpline' on Saturday, which will give details about business possibilities and loan facilities to entrepreneurs keen on setting up small units.
"This initiative would help in expanding the outreach of support provided under the various schemes and programmes of the government," an official statement quoted Dr Singh as saying after the inauguration of the helpline.
"The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) call centre will satisfy the need of a single point facility providing a wide range of information and accessibility of banks to such units," he added.
Dr Singh said the first generation entrepreneurs faced hurdles in credit availability, technology and marketing.
"The government support in these areas can improve their viability problems to a large extent," he added, emphasising that the MSMEs play a vital role in employment generation.
The toll-free number 1800-180-6763, which would offer services between 6 am to 10 pm throughout the year, would provide information on a wide range of subjects, including guidance on setting up a units, access loans from banks, project profiles and about various MSME schemes.
The facility that would be available in both English and Hindi would also help in lodging complaints with various Central and State Government agencies dealing with MSMEs, including banks.