MSMEs: The Backbone of India's Economy
Women-Led MSMEs
Women own a small share of MSMEs, and many face extra hurdles in credit, networks and mobility.
Women entrepreneurs are an important but underused resource.
Numbers
Women own a fraction of MSMEs, and many are small, home-based and self-financed.
Barriers
Limited property ownership, social norms and access to networks hamper growth.
Schemes
Special credit lines and training programmes target women entrepreneurs.
Potential
Studies suggest raising women’s participation could add significantly to national income.
A home enterprise
A woman runs a pickle business from her kitchen and needs a loan to move to a small unit.
Assuming women's businesses are hobbies
Many are important sources of household income.
Key takeaways
- Women own few MSMEs.
- Barriers include credit and networks.
- Schemes offer support.
- Potential gains are large.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.