Entrepreneurs should play a major role for the growth of India: Commerce Minster Mr Kamal Nath

Understanding this need Shri Kamal Nath, Honble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India while delivering his keynote address at FICCIs India Rural Business Summit said, If we are to ensure that growth is both inclusive and equitable, then we will have to align and integrate our rural areas with the economic processes that are transforming our country at a rapid pace. The rural-urban divide that exists in our country must be bridged. The event was organized by FICCI in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and several other key ministries of the government and Planning Commission on October 8 in New Delhi.

Emphasizing on the biggest challenges in front of Indias growth, he said, Poverty and unemployment are the biggest challenges which raise the question that how to provide rural poor with avenues of employment. Identifying possible solution to the question, Shri Kamal Nath, said, The employment options abound for the skilled professionals, but unskilled and semi-skilled people are worse off. There is therefore a need for developing creative strategies for mass semi-skilled employment generation. This calls for an integrated approach involving the government, the private sector and the intended beneficiaries i.e. the local rural population.

Urging entrepreneurs, Mr Kamal Nath said, India is producing the largest number of entrepreneurs both from urban and rural India and we need to create more entrepreneurs for the growth of India.

Highlighting agriculture and rural development as one of the key focus of public policy of the present government, Mr Kamal Nath said, Today, nearly 70% of the countrys population resides in the rural areas and nearly two - third of the population is still dependent on the agriculture sector for sustenance.

Mr Kamal Nath added, Enterprises in the rural areas require advice on technology related aspects; they require information on globally benchmarked production methods, and also information on the changing consumer needs and how to diversify product portfolios. We must ensure that the growth impulses are felt in all parts of the country, particularly in the rural areas.