New Delhi, Mar 3 (KNN) Union Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Nitin Gadkari has said that  the MSME Ministry will soon announce a new scheme on entrepreneurship and skill training for disabled persons.

While speaking at the inauguration of "EKAM Fest", on Monday, Gadkari said, "I assure you that the MSME ministry will work (out) a special scheme for the entrepreneurial and skill development of persons with disabilities very soon as the government wants to encourage, expose and provide opportunities for the products of such persons. The scheme will be worked out in consultation with the ministries of SJE and Textiles."

Gadkari also assured that the ministry would arrange business loans through the financial institutions to the disabled entrepreneurs without any collateral security.

Lauding the MSME sector, the Minister said that it contributes 29 per cent of the country's GDP and 48 per cent of exports.

On the other hand, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has assured international marketing assistance to the textile/handloom products produced and marketed by the disabled entrepreneurs.

She has also promised free distribution of handloom tool kits for the disabled weavers through the textile ministry.

''The ministry is providing assistance by way of supplying raw materials, production and marketing of products generated by the disabled entrepreneurs, said Social justice minister Thaawarchand Gehlot.

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