KASSIA to conduct mega expo for women entrepreneurs in Mysuru on Feb. 22

Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association president, M.G. Rajagopal, addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA), in collaboration with the Department of Industries and Commerce, District Industries Centre, Mysuru, will be organising a two-day exhibition and sale of products manufactured by women entrepreneurs at Chamundi Vihar Stadium here on February 22 and 23.

It will also include technical workshops on GST and other events related to the industrial sector.

KASSIA president M.G. Rajagopal told reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday that KASSIA’s women entrepreneurs’ sub-committee has organised the exhibition primarily to promote women’s entrepreneurship and provide a good platform for them to become successful entrepreneurs.

It will help in empowering and encouraging women entrepreneurs and actively explore other business development and market linkages, he said.

The first such event was organised at Kalaburagi, and it received a good response from women entrepreneurs. The event in Mysuru is also expected to draw women entrepreneurs in large numbers to market the products produced in their units.

More than 100 stalls will be available for the entrepreneurs, and over 75 entrepreneurs from Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar have already registered their names, Mr. Rajagopal said.

The three best stalls will be presented with awards at the closing ceremony.

KASSIA has urged the industrialists in the region to participate in the expo and workshops to enhance their knowledge and encourage women entrepreneurs to take part in the events.

The KASSIA president said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been invited to inaugurate the expo on February 22 at 10:30 a.m. H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Social Welfare and Mysuru district in-charge Minister, MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, and MLA Tanveer Sait will be the chief guests.

Gunjan Krishna, commissioner for Industrial Development and the director of the Industries and Commerce Department, G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Deputy Commissioner, K.M. Gayathri, chief executive officer, Zilla Panchayat, Mysuru, and Pushpa Amarnath, vice-president, Karnataka State Guarantees’ Implementation Committee, Mysuru division, will participate as the guests of honour.

Mr. Rajagopal said banks must publicise the loan schemes meant for women entrepreneurs. “We have raised the issue of banks not making efforts to publicise the schemes that are meant for women. The issue has been discussed with the Finance Minister and the RBI Deputy Governor,” he said.

Industrial loans come under the priority sector, and multiple schemes provide financial aid to those coming forward to establish industries. “The funding is higher for the services sector than the MSME sector. The banks should not worry about NPAs, “ he said, asking how could industrial development happen unless banks provide loans.

The reason for the rising number of microfinance institutions in the State was the lack of drive to promote loan schemes for women by the banks, Mr. Raajagopal said.

At a time when industries are suffering, it is essential to strengthen industrial development to achieve the goal of elevating the country to the top three in the world, he added.