Industrial parks for women to come up across Karnataka: CM

Speaking as the Chief Guest at 'Think Big -- Women in Business 2016' summit, dubbed as Asia's largest women entrepreneurship platform here, he said his government had given women Entrepreneurs special attention to encourage enterprise creation and industrial capacity building by them for an inclusive growth and sustained development.

The event, supported by the Karnataka government is a summit for women business owners being held today and tomorrow in association with WEConnect, a mega event that focuses exclusively on women entrepreneurship. More than 2000 women entrepreneurs from across the globe, including 600 from Karnataka, are taking part in the event.

''We did not anticipate this kind of unprecedented response from the Women Entrepreneurs in such a short span. Initially we thought of developing one Women's Park at Harohally near Bangalore. But, surprisingly there was a great response from all over the State to set up Parks for Women. 

''So we will be doing it and several such parks would come up across the districts soon. This include a women's industrial park near Kalaburgi in backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region,'' Mr Siddaramaiah said.

He said Karnataka's diversity ratio in employment and entrepreneurship is amongst the best in India. The eco-system in the State was regarded as the bench-mark for women to live and work and I am happy that we are in the right direction.

As per the World Bank Report 2010-11, the highest percentage of women work participation was in United States of America at 45 percent. Their share was 35 percent in Brazil, 38 percent in France, 40 percent in Indonesia, 42 percent in Canada and 43 percent in United Kingdom.

India which had a share of 31.6 per cent can made further strides to bring in more women as entrepreneurs, he said.

He said according to the fourth Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) census, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have 51.9 percent of the country's women-owned business truly indicating the potential that exists in our State and country.

''I am sure with the initiatives taken up, Karnataka would soon be in the top slot for Women Entrepreneurship. Therefore, ThinkBig 2016 rightfully provides a platform to many Aspiring and Existing women entrepreneurs an equal opportunity for economic freedom and well-being and Wealth creation, he added.

He said his government had approved the reimbursement of the fee of WEConnect International for the next three years in a phased manner to encourage Women Entrepreneurs. 

WEConnect International provides certification to women-owned businesses to help them succeed in global value chains and connect them to Indian and Multinational Corporation.

The chief minister said such networks have a critical role in finding solutions to common challenges faced by women globally and bringing about greater equity.