West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday claimed that the state was now number one in the country in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector with over 35,000 new units set up over the last three years.
In a post on her Facebook page, Banerjee said the units have generated employment for nearly 320,000 people and the state recorded the highest credit disbursement worth Rs.35,000 crores.
The chief minister said the government has been organising business conclave 'Synergy' since September 2013 to provide more customized solutions to the MSME entrepreneurs through hand holding support and personalised guidance.
"Nearly 40,000 entrepreneurs visited the clinics, help desks and technology pavilions and bank loan worth hundreds of crores were sanctioned to nearly 1800 enterprises in this first-ever state level conclave."
She said in 2014, her government has adopted the strategy of taking Synergy closer to the field level and two regional Synergy conclaves were held at Siliguri in February and at Howrah Aug 1-2.
"Loans worth Rs.1,000 crore were sanctioned and investment proposals close to Rs.5,000 crore were received in the Synergy at Howrah," she added.