Over 66,000 Entrepreneurs Supported By Tamil Nadu MSME Department In 4.5 Years: Minister Anbarasan

Chennai, Aug 27 (KNN) Tamil Nadu’s Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has facilitated the establishment of 66,018 new entrepreneurs over the past four-and-a-half years, state MSME Minister T M Anbarasan said on Tuesday.

Reviewing the functioning of district-level MSME centres at a meeting in Guindy, the minister said loans worth Rs 5,490 crore and government subsidies of Rs 2,133 crore had been extended to entrepreneurs during the period, according to TOI.

He noted that six self-employment programmes and ten subsidy schemes—including investment, power, and wage subsidies—have played a key role in supporting the sector’s growth.

Anbarasan directed officials to prioritise loan disbursement for women, persons with disabilities, and entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 

He also highlighted the progress of two flagship initiatives launched by the state. 

Under the Annal Ambedkar Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (2023–24), loans of Rs 581 crore and subsidies of Rs 324 crore benefitted 2,970 entrepreneurs. 

Similarly, the Kalaignar Handicrafts Development Scheme, launched last year, extended Rs 64.24 crore in loans and Rs 13.45 crore in subsidies to 3,452 artisans.

The minister further said that investment inflows from the 2024 Global Investors Meet are translating into new industrial activity. 

Of the 5,068 MoUs worth Rs 63,573 crore signed by MSMEs, 2,610 companies have already commenced production, bringing in investments of Rs 27,312.26 crore and generating 1,02,061 jobs. 

He instructed officials to expedite processes to ensure that all MoU-linked projects become operational by December 2025.

(KNN Bureau)