On World MSME Day, CM highlights women-led startups and pledges wider support across manufacturing and tourism
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has unveiled plans to set up a dedicated Women Entrepreneurship Cell aimed at empowering women to become business leaders, particularly in the manufacturing, tourism, and MSME sectors.
Speaking during World MSME Day, Sawant said that with 624 startups launched in the IT sector alone, 50 per cent of them are led by women entrepreneurs.
Sawant stressed the need to embed entrepreneurial thinking early, especially among women, who have shown strong potential to lead and uplift local economies.
“Women are emerging as a strong force in Goa’s startup scene. We now want to take this momentum beyond IT and into other sectors. It is very important that we give a push to women entrepreneurs to explore sectors like tourism, manufacturing, etc.,” Sawant said.
Announcing the formation of a dedicated Women Entrepreneurship Cell, the Chief Minister said that the cell will offer support, funding access, mentorship, and market linkages to help women transition from ideation to enterprise.
Meanwhile, Sawant hailed the MSME sector, informing that it exported goods and services worth over Rs 21,000 crore last year. He also highlighted that 70,000 MSMEs are registered on the Udyam portal in Goa, of which 60 per cent belong to the service sector.
With the revival of traditional Goan crafts like the Kunbi saree and shawl already gaining global attention, Sawant credited his government for successfully reviving the tradition while appealing to entrepreneurs to work out models for its further promotion.
Earlier speaking, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho noted that 90 per cent of Goa’s enterprises are micro-scale, adding, “It’s time we provide these MSMEs with a stronger platform. Our entrepreneurs are doing well—but more importantly, they’re empowering others.”
