Govt concentrating on economically backward village industries: MSME Minister

New Delhi, Oct 30 (KNN) Union Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Nitin Gadkari has said that through the Khadi Gram Udyog, the government is now concentrating on village industries and areas which are socially, economically and educationally backward.

While addressing the virtual inaugural ceremony of the 10-day 'Namaste Bharat' exhibition, on Thursday, Gadkari said, ''We want to focus on these areas where we need more concentration for gaining and creating employment potential and growth. And that is exactly the way of eradication of poverty, which is our mission. They need guidance, innovation and technology and that is where we need to help them.''

He further said that the government also wants to create more employment in the backward and tribal areas.

"We want to recognise, respect, support and facilitate women entrepreneurs and at the same time we want to incentivise them," he stated.

Commenting on the MSME sector, he asserted that it is the backbone of the Indian economy and has created 11 crore jobs so far.

"Presently, MSME is the most important sector for the country. I say it is the backbone of Indian economy," Gadkari added.

"It contributes 30 per cent to GDP. As far as export is concerned, it is 48 per cent. Up till now, 11 crore jobs have been created by the MSME sector," he avowed.