Srinagar, 6 Dec (KNN) India SME Forum, a non-profit organisation mentoring small and medium entrepreneurs, especially women hosted a day-long interaction with the selected women entrepreneurs of Jammu and Kashmir under programme “SAATH” which was held at the state office of Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), as per media reports.

For the programme over 30 women entrepreneurs having export ready products fr0m the handmade and handicraft sector were a part of it.

Speaking during the event, Mission Director JKRLM, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar said that the chief objective of conducting the workshop was not only to orient the already identified Self Help Group members but to offer them necessary product and design intervention to meet the design demand of international markets.

Member of Saath were made aware of colour schemes, raw material sourcing, value addition on handicraft products, quality marks and cataloguing of these products, she said

Dr Sehrish further stated that this programme will unleash the export potential of women entrepreneurs of Jammu and Kashmir by offering them insight & exposure to requirements of international market. The workshop also offered insights on ensuring quality assurance & standard marks to make these products competitive in international markets.

MD JKRLM while interacting with the participants highlighted the journey of SAATH programme and its important role in Development of effective entrepreneurial & marketing skills.

Dr Sehrish added that the initiative aims to teach women such skills and convert their business into high order enterprise, it will be unique experience for the rural women entrepreneurs where in the buyers will have direct interface with the international buyers / dealers which will in turn boost the moral and open the marketing avenues for the women entrepreneurs of J&K.

On 1st of Sept, 2021, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha launched this initiative with an aim to provide support to selected Women entrepreneurs to overcome financial, social and marketing challenges in their business ventures, she said.