Women entrepreneurs to gain from EU move

European Union prepares programme to work out modalities for tie-ups

The European Union (EU) is working out modalities for tie-ups between its multinational corporations (MNCs) and Indian small-scale industries, particularly with those run by women entrepreneurs.

Speaking to Business Standard, K Ramadevi, president of Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh (Aleap), said: "The EU has prepared a European Commission Programme to work out the modalities for tie-ups with small industries in our country and has nominated the German government to identify areas, products and women entrepreneurs under the programme."

"The programme, which would benefit the members of Hyderabad Aleap, would be launched in December," she said. "The German experts, as part of the 'match-making', would train women entrepreneurs and help them match European standards and specifications in manufacturing quality products and make them aware of the needs, likes and dislikes of European consumers."

She said big domestic companies like HLL, Dabur, Vijaya Dairy, and RPG were already buying products from Aleap members and selling them under their labels.

"The Vijayawada industrial estate for Aleap members would be inaugurated in January," she said. "A testing laboratory, the unique feature of the estate, would testify to the standards of products manufactured by entrepreneurs and issue them certificates. The food processing industries and garment making units would be given priority in the estate."

She said the Ministry for Food Processing Industry, for the first time in the country, conducted a month-long workshop in 'Entrepreneurship Development Programme on Food Processing' for women entrepreneurs in Vijayawada.

The workshop concluded on Friday. Experts drawn from various fields spoke on identification of industries, technologies, excise concessions, marketing methods and avenues, exports, indigenous value addition, product viability, and sanction of loans from banks and other financial institutions.

"About 40 aspirants attended the workshop. Eighteen of them are ready to launch their projects immediately," she added.

Ramadevi said, "Sky is the limit for subsidies and bank loans without collateral for women industrialists. Andhra Bank, SBI and Syndicate Bank are ready to clear loan applications within 24 hours. The state government has promised to give 20 per cent investment subsidy. In all, the entrepreneurs would get a subsidy up to 35 per cent in the food processing industry."