Despite being the second fastest growing region after East Asia, South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world with limited economic cooperation amongst the eight countries comprising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Other than domestic constraints, non-tariff barriers (NTBs) are some of the most important factors responsible for the low-level of intraregional trade.NTBs also negatively impact the development of mutually beneficial regional value chains and production processes of regional markets, which are now increasingly attractive for diversification given the noticeable dip in the demand for goods and services in other markets.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are recognised as an important source of employment and poverty alleviation especially for women across countries in the region. Women-led/owned/dominated MSMEs constitute a major source of formal and informal sector employment for women in South Asian countries. However, the average growth rate of Women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) is significantly lower than the average growth rate of MSMEs run by men.
In South Asia only eight to nine per cent of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are owned by women compared to 38 to 47 per cent of the same in East Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It is worthwhile to strengthen their participation in the regional markets while leveraging their existing and potential roles in the creation and strengthening of regional value chains.
Implementing Organization
CUTS International
D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park,
Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.2282821,
Fx: +91.141.2282485
Email: cuts@cuts.org
Web: http://www.cuts-international.org/
- Identify specific constraints faced and special policy support requirements by WMSMEs in India
- Identify issues related to regional markets such as non-tariff/trade facilitation linked barriers
- Provide policy recommendations to ease and/or manage the identified constraints
- Trade Winds of Change: Women Entrepreneurs on the Rise in South Asia
- A literature review of the economic profile of WMSMEs in India and status of their trade engagement, with specific focus on intraregional trade in South Asia
- A study outlining the scope of research and recommendations for reforms; subsequent dissemination and policy advocacy
- Based on the research report, a national consultation meeting will be conducted which will involve representatives from private sectors particularly from among identified WMSMEs, officials from relevant ministries, and experts to discuss the findings
- A project completion report including report of the national consultation meeting
- Female owners and/or managers of MSMEs
- Desk research will include a literature review that will assess the involvement of women in MSMEs and the constraints faced by WMSMEs in different sectors
- Based on the literature review, a number of products will be selected that have regional trade potential and can help Indian WMSMEs expand their business
- Field-based surveys will be conducted among WMSMEs and traders to identify barriers they face in business and trade including both policy level and operational barriers on the ground
- The survey will cover a number of enterprises from across several sectors. It will be focussed on sectors with high concentration of WMSMEs and high untapped potential for India’s trade with rest of South Asia
- Based on the results of the literature review and field survey, a report will be prepared so as to provide suggestions to overcome the identified barriers
- A revised study will be completed based on the feedback received from the private sector, WMSMEs, government officials and other experts on this subject
- A strong case will be made for trade liberalisation in South Asia along specific value chains-market linkages and how women will be benefitted from the strengthening of such linkages
- There will be special emphasis on women’s economic empowerment through trade
PTI, February 12, 2015
Women entrepreneurs in India suffer from a 73 per cent credit deficit: N. K. Maini, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI
February 11, 2015, New Delhi, India
National Consultation
February 11, 2015, New Delhi, India