ALEAP Helping Women-Led MSMEs Succeed In TS, AP

Hyderabad: Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India (ALEAP), established in 1993 in Hyderabad, today has over 10,000 members, created more than 55,000 livelihoods for women in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), its programmes have benefited over 3.50 lakh women across India, has generated about 30,000 direct employment opportunities through women-focused industrial parks, formed 230 international collaborations touching over 10 countries, and mobilised Rs 400 crore funding for women entrepreneurs.

ALEAP, founded by Rama Devi Kanneganti, was recognised as the ‘Best Industry Association Telangana State Women Focus 2023,’ and Kanneganti has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from UBUNTU. She is the President of ALEAP, Chairperson and CEO of AIC ALEAP We-Hub and Senior Vice Chairperson of WE ITTC.

Under her leadership, ALEAP has developed pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of women-exclusive green industrial parks, and the introduction of ‘Social Entrepreneurship Incubation’ programmes.

“Government’s have realised that unless women are brought into the economic activity, reaching the target set for GDP will not be possible. So, women’s involvement into economic activity has been prominently felt by all the policymakers which has led to the announcement of various schemes,” Rama Devi Kanneganti told Bizz Buzz, terming the entrepreneur ecosystem positive for women now. She informed that under CGTMSME scheme, 95 per cent of collateral free credit guarantee and security of upto Rs 10 crore is extended to women-led enterprises from SIDBI, to set up their units. Standup India has also increased the credit limit from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore for women businesses to access it online. This credit card will act as a safety net for their business while facing a down-fall.

“Many micro business women are not seeking finance from the conventional banking system. They borrow money from money-lenders. With these initiatives in place, women in micro business like SHG groups and individual business owners can now easily access credit,” she added.

On a query about the challenges these women entrepreneurs mostly face, she pointed out lack of access to land and machinery, and technology transfer. “ALEAP is the only organisation which has taken off in setting up industrial parks for women. Now, the State government is keen on introducing industrial parks for women in every constituency, which is called Mahila Shakti Bhavan. This land bank will enable them to have infrastructure which provides primary security and then they can focus on scaling up production.”