In Rajasthan, housewives are being encouraged to start working from home in the export sector by the state government. This is being done under the programme, Mission Niryatak Bano, which aims to help local traders enhance their business and also encouage educated homemakers to become entrepreneurs in the export business sector. All required training and help are provided by the state Industries ministry in collaboration with the Rajasthan Industrial development and investment corporation (RIICO).
The programme itself is under the able guidance of a woman minister in the state Cabinet, Industries minister Shakuntala Rawat, and a woman IAS officer, Archana Singh, who is the commissioner of Industries and Commerce.
Indian Masterminds got in touch with Joint Director of Industries & Commerce PR Sharma to get details about Mission Niryatak Bano and to know how the initiative is helping women become entrepreneurs in the export sector.
MISSION NIRYATAK BANO
“This is the first-of-its-kind project which has been initiated in India. This kind of campaign has never taken place ever in our country before,” said Mr. PR Sharma.
He continued that there are no better people than women who can do the work of exporting in the best manner. There are wives of businessmen who are from good educational background but are sitting unemployed at their homes, as they weren’t getting opportunities to explore. “Mission Niryatak Bano has created jobs for the housewives. Many women who were yearning to do something different have joined hands with us and we are sure that it’s going to go a long way in empowering them.”
According to him, the business of export is something where one does not have to travel but only coordinate with manufacturers. “Everything is online and digital now, and therefore there is no other better business for women than the business of export in an online world.”
Sitting in their homes women are getting training and work by the state government. “The target which we have reached till date has been mostly achieved by the women of our state who have joined hands with the initiative. The response has been pretty good.”
SIX-STEP PROCESS
The campaign is planned in six steps to register and handhold the local traders who are willing to expand their business. The first step is identification and mobilization of the candidates or firm to become an exporter. Their registration is done on the department`s website after they are provided with basic guidance about exports and export documentation.
The second step is to fulfil document requirements. Government provides them support in applications for PAN card, Aadhar Card, registration of firm and opening of bank account.
Step three is the issuance of the Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) number. Step 4 is the issuance of GST number and Step 5 is granting REPC membership. The sixth step is to provide assistance in export through E-portal.
ENCOURAGING RESULTS
The project has already started showing good results. “500+ new exporters are linked to online portals for export. Some of them are Amazon, eBay, Wallmart etc,” Mr. Sharma informed, adding that many of them have already started exporting while some are waiting for the cargo.
