VISA, NASSCOM Foundation to train women micro entrepreneurs

“The MSME sector in India is badly affected by the pandemic and with more than 70% of women entrepreneurs affected, Visa will support and upskill these small entrepreneurs across the country with this program. Program partner NASSCOM Foundation will work with over 650 women micro entrepreneurs and train them to go online, rebuild and expand their businesses. In India, Visa has previously empowered women-owned businesses through a grant program with iFundWomen and is currently working to uplift and digitize local artisan communities across India,” the two organizations said on Tuesday. declare.

This initiative will equip them with tools to move their businesses online, manage taxes, do cashless transactions and claim benefits from relevant government schemes. TR Ramachandran, Group Country Manager for India and South Asia for Visa, said the initiative will “provide the necessary financial literacy and skills to women across India”.

The program will focus on training the affected entrepreneurs through a mixed model. Online training will be given through the DigiSakshar portal and app, and all beneficiaries will receive a mobile phone with one year of internet connectivity to help them access the courses and training. The offline training component will be conducted by Polynet Energy India Pvt Ltd where these women entrepreneurs will learn best practices to start and grow their businesses again.

According to the latest PLFS survey, women’s labor force participation in rural and urban India stands at 18.6%. This gap clearly highlights that encouraging women entrepreneurship will play a vital role in achieving India’s vision for inclusive growth. NASSCOM Foundation Executive.

The organization said that the course curriculum will be made available in local languages ​​for ease of understanding of the beneficiaries and after the training, the program will facilitate the connectivity of these women micro entrepreneurs with the market.