Leh (Ladakh): Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, emphasized the need to strengthen and empower the MSME sector in Ladakh, with a special focus on women Self Help Groups (SHGs) to boost livelihoods and promote local handloom and handicraft products, according to an official release.
“Unlocking the full potential of Ladakh’s MSMEs will create a thriving environment for sustainable economic growth,” the Lt Governor said while chairing a meeting to review the implementation of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme in the Union Territory.
He highlighted the crucial role of MSMEs in promoting entrepreneurship, generating employment, and driving inclusive growth across Ladakh. Gupta also appreciated ongoing efforts to align the RAMP scheme with the region’s socio-economic strengths and cultural heritage.
Commending local entrepreneurs, artisans, and SHG members for taking Ladakh’s indigenous products, especially pashmina, to national and international markets, he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fostering skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship among Ladakhi youth.
“Every achievement brings us closer to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Gupta remarked, urging young people to actively participate in entrepreneurship programmes and enhance their skills through training and capacity-building initiatives.
Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Rudra Goud PT, presented an overview of the RAMP scheme, outlining its potential to enhance credit access, market linkages, technology adoption, and institutional capacity for MSMEs. He also referred to the Ladakh Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) as the guiding framework for implementing RAMP, aimed at promoting innovation-driven and sustainable MSME growth in the UT.
Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Regional Director (Northern Region) of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)—the Project Management Unit for RAMP—shared details of the ongoing Enterprising Ladakh programme, which focuses on entrepreneurship development in educational institutions and local communities through training, education, and advisory support.
He elaborated on several planned initiatives for Ladakh’s MSMEs, including buyer-seller meets, Brand Ladakh stalls at airports, MSME facilitation desks, branding and marketing workshops, training for women SHGs, e-commerce awareness sessions, business incubators for fruit and yak-based products, support for the hospitality sector, and digital promotion platforms for Ladakh’s unique offerings.
Funding has been allocated for the successful rollout of these initiatives in collaboration with the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Ladakh, the release added.
The Lt Governor directed officials to ensure that all activities under the RAMP scheme are implemented efficiently, inclusively, and with a focus on empowering local entrepreneurs to strengthen Ladakh’s economic resilience.
