Srinagar, March 14: Director, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Ajaz Ahmad Bhat on Tuesday said women have proven to be successful entrepreneurs and there are a number of examples across the country and J&K.
“I want them (women) to explore various government initiatives and schemes available to aspiring entrepreneurs. Innovation and technology have revolutionized the Startup scene of our country,” he said while interacting with aspiring women entrepreneurs and students of the Government Degree College for Women at JKEDI’s Centre for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) here.
The Director JKEDI added, “I am always eager to meet youth who are interested in taking up entrepreneurship as a career option. I want women in J&K to choose their business activities carefully after doing a market survey and not stick to traditional activities with limited markets.”
He said the department will try to arrange mentorship programs for startups where women can take informed decisions about funding, investments, and technology adoption to realize their aspirations.
In an effort to attract more women to choose entrepreneurship as a career choice and encourage enterprising women entrepreneurs, Bhat also felicitated three successful women entrepreneurs with a commendation certificate.
The felicitated entrepreneurs include Anam Siraj, owner of a renowned fashion label in Srinagar called Closet Cloud, Sumaira Shafi, a preschool owner from Budgam district, and Maisara Maqbool, owner of a distribution agency from Ganderbal district.
These entrepreneurs have been supported by JKEDI under various schemes. The visit to the centre is a part of the ongoing efforts of the Director JKEDI to reach out to women and inspire them to take up entrepreneurship as a career choice. The Director also informed the audience that such programs will continue and will be organized in all the districts of J&K.
During the past few months, the Director has held interactions with youth across the length and breadth of the Union Territory of J&K. These interactions are also significant because the Institute is planning to come up with various programs and initiatives for the youth of UT.
The Department of Industries and Commerce is in the process of revising the Startup Policy 2018. It intends to make it more inclusive and friendly for startups from J&K and create 3000 startups within five years. The program was attended by Nusrath Sayeed, Head of the Department, Botany, GDC for Women, In Charge, Centre for Women Entrepreneurship, Srinagar, District Nodal Officer, Srinagar, and faculty members from JKEDI were also present on the occasion.
