Shillong, Dec 7: The state government has set up more than 14 ‘entrepreneur financial centres (EFCs) across the state – an initiative to promote entrepreneurship at the grass root-level even as it has tied-up with financial institutions for the purpose.
“Fourteen entrepreneur financial centres have been set up in the different parts of the state to extend financial and advisory support to local entrepreneurs of the state at the grassroot-level,” Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE) deputy director general, D Vijay Kumar said at the sideline of a ‘Business Diversification Conclave 2012’ for entrepreneurs and contractors held Friday.
Kumar said, “Such centres would also be extended in all the blocks of the state.”
Elaborating on the nature of the centres, Kumar said, “The centres would be facilitating marketing as well as financial support to the local entrepreneurs from the different sectors,” adding “We are looking for diversification by nurturing them (entrepreneurs) by understanding their problems, ideas and analyze it accordingly.”
Kumar said such initiative will ensure promotion of our entrepreneurs and contractors which will in turn would contribute to the growth and development of the state.
The programmes are to boost the flagship programmes of the state government under the Meghalaya Basin Development for sustainable livelihood.
Informing that the government is developing a financial model with banks, Kumar said, “We have tied up with financial institutions such as MCAB, SBI, HDFC and others for providing financial support to the entrepreneurs.”
Highlighting on the objective of the conclave, Kumar said, “The Conclave is to bring together on a common platform contractors, successful entrepreneurs, experts, institutions, producers for an exchange of ideas and experiences as well as to create an awareness and interest in the business opportunities that exist and could be created through strategic partnerships in the development of value chains for the state.”
Stating a certain percentage of the population, especially in the urban areas, is gainfully employed as full time or part time contractors for the government and its various agencies, Kumar said, “As part of the overall strategy for all inclusive growth for the state, it is these skills sets that the IBDLP now intends to nurture and develop through capacity building and strategic partnerships to help such individuals diversify their business and move towards the emerging business opportunities in the value chains being nurtured under the IBDLP.”
Meghalaya chief secretary WMS Pariat, who inaugurated the conclave said, “There is lot of potential in entrepreneurship in the state.” However he lamented that there is less progress in this field. He further asked the conclave to submit its recommendations to the government for necessary steps in ensuring growth and development of entrepreneurs and the state.-By Our Reporter
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