According to recent data shared by MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, 39% of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) registered under the revised 2020 MSME definition are women-owned. This figure includes GST-exempt informal micro units registered on the Udyam portal through the Udyam Assist Platform (UAP).
As of July 25, 2024, 1.84 crore out of approximately 4.78 crore Udyam-registered enterprises (since July 2020), including UAP units (since January 2023), were women-owned.
“The percentage of women owners of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registered on the Udyam and Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) since their respective launches on July 1, 2020, and January 11, 2023, is 39%,” said Manjhi in his response.
Highlighting initiatives to increase the share of women-owned MSMEs, Manjhi mentioned the amended Public Procurement Policy of 2018, which mandates Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to procure at least 3% of their annual purchases from women entrepreneurs.
He further stated, “To support women entrepreneurs under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, two provisions have been introduced for women entrepreneurs effective from December 1, 2022: first, an increased guarantee coverage of up to 85% compared to 75% for others; and second, a 10% concession in annual guarantee fees.”
In June this year, the MSME Ministry launched the Yashasvini initiative to campaign in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, aiming to empower women entrepreneurs by building their capacity.
Meanwhile, as of August 1 last year, the share of women-owned units among the more than 2.10 crore MSMEs was 19.43%, according to a report by FE Aspire citing government data. This registration count included enterprises registered through the Udyam Assist Platform (UAP).