IMPHAL, March 3: Continuing with the efforts to generate self-employment opportunities, the closing function of the 2nd batch of Phase VIII of EDP training for PMEGP beneficiaries was held today at the conference hall of ICM, Lamphelpat.
The function was attended by director of Commerce & Industries, V Tualthang as chief guest, director of ICM, Dr Kh Somorendro Singh as president and asst director of KVIC, Salle Pao as guest of honour.
The 10 days training imparted basic entrepreneurship skills including accounting, marketing, product development, etc. The current batch consisted of 70 beneficiaries who came from different backgrounds with different levels of education. The participants were also given certificates as well as resource materials.
Few participants expressed the difficulties they faced in receiving loans from banks to start their enterprises.
In his speech, V Tualthang stated that PMEGP is a very good scheme especially for the state but it also needs good people to succeed. He lamented the low rate of loan recovery in Manipur which is among the lowest in the country, thereby, forcing banks to shy away from lending extensively. While the number of successful entrepreneurs from PMEGP was less then desired, he highlighted several entrepreneurs who not only made efforts to repay their loans but went on to seek greater business opportunities. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to use the knowledge that they had gained and work hard to succeed in their ventures.