Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the state has the highest number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registrations in the northeastern region.
He said that according to the 2018-19 Annual Report of the Ministry of MSME, Manipur registered 12,438 MSME businesses between 2015 and 2019.
Singh emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of the Manipuri people, stating, “Between 2015 and 2019, Manipur witnessed the establishment of 12,438 MSME businesses, the highest number in the entire northeast region. Notably, women entrepreneurship is thriving, with women owning 50% of these businesses.”
Singh further highlighted that Manipur, despite constituting only 0.2% of India’s population, contributes a remarkable 0.3% to the nation’s MSME sector, showcasing the state’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Speaking at the state-level workshop on UNNATI and RAMP schemes on Thursday, he said, “The ‘One Family One Livelihood’ mission aims to empower families by providing financial assistance to establish their own businesses. This initiative offers collateral-free loans up to Rs 10, 00,000, with a 30% grant component, fostering self-reliance.”
The chief minister further said that the Manipur State Credit Guarantee Scheme has benefited approximately 2,575 entrepreneurs.
The government is actively encouraging youth to take advantage of these opportunities, he added.
He said that seven successful start-ups in Manipur have created employment opportunities for around 300 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
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Singh emphasized the importance of timely loan disbursement by banks and timely repayment by borrowers.
He stressed that prompt repayment is crucial for maintaining access to future credit opportunities.
