EDP Notes

Entrepreneurship does not differentiate the sex. A number of facilities and assistance are
offered to the entrepreneurs. However, certain additional incentives or facilities offered to women
entrepreneurs are discussed as follows.

• SMALL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (SIDO) : SIDO through a

          network of SISIs conduct the EDPs exclusively for women entrepreneurs. The aim is to
          develop entrepreneurial traits and qualities among women and enable them to identify                                 entrepreneurial opportunities etc.  

• NATIONAL SMALL INDUSTRIES CORPORATION (NSIC) : The H.P. scheme of

             NSIC provides preferential treatment to women entrepreneurs. It also conducts
             Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Building programmes for women.

• INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK OF INDIA (IDBI) : The schemes of IDBI for

           women entrepreneurs are summarized as follows:
           PROMOTER’S CONTRIBUTION: The IDBI set up the Mahila Udyan Nidhi (MUN) and
          Mahila Vikas Nidhi (MVN) schemes to help women entrepreneurs. IDBI conduct
          programmes of training and extension services through designated approved agencies and
          association with other development agencies like EDII, TCOs, KVIC etc.

• SMALL INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT BANK OF INDIA (SIDBI): SIDBI has

          special schemes for financial assistance to women entrepreneurs. It provides training and
          extension services. It gives financial assistance at concessional terms in setting up tiny and
          small units.

• COMMERCIAL BANKS: The “Sthree Shakthi Package Scheme” of SBI provides a

          package of assistance to women entrepreneurs. The consultancy wings of SBI give guidance
          on project identification and project viability. The program of assistance such as repair and
          servicing, photo copying, dry cleaning, retail trade business enterprises, poultry farming,
         tailoring etc. The Bank Of India has introduced a scheme known as ‘ Priyadarshini
          Yojana’ to help women entrepreneurs.

• KUDUMBASREE UNITS: With the objectives of poverty eradication and women

          empowerment Kudumbasree has been introduced in Kerala. The poor women are organised
          into community- based organisations. They start and operate micro enterprise. They earn
          income through self-employment.