GUWAHATI:
North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) on August 9 launched the “NEDFI Micro Lending Scheme“, aimed at lending a helping hand to the small enterprises and entrepreneurs of the northeastern region.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the scheme on the occasion of the 27th foundation day of the NEDFi at its office in Guwahati.
Addressing the occasion, Sarma praised the financial institution for providing assistance to micro, small, medium and large enterprises for setting up industrial, and infrastructure projects in the region, and for having completed 27 years of glorious existence.
“NEDFI is playing an important role in empowering our region and its people. I hope the NEDFi Micro Lending Scheme with loan size up to Rs 2 lakh per beneficiary will help micro-entrepreneurs in setting up and expanding their economic activities in Assam and other parts of Northeast,” Sarma said.
“I urge the people of the region to take the benefits of the scheme and lead a life of self-reliance and independence and contribute towards the growth of the society,” he said.
The chief minister also announced a contribution of Rs 100 crore by the state government towards the “Micro Lending Scheme” launched today. Further, the CM handed over a cheque of Rs 7.89 crore on behalf of NEDFi to be distributed among 669 borrowers under this scheme.
The chief minister stated that the current dispensation at the Centre and the state have a clear agenda of empowering the people of the region, especially the youths, through the entrepreneurial route. This, the CM said, would bestow financial independence and employment opportunities for the youths of the region.
Sarma also launched the NEDFi Haat website, a mobile-based application titled “Advancing Northeast” – a joint initiative between NEDFi and North Eastern Council (NEC). He also inaugurated the training programme being conducted by NEDFi for aspirants of the “Agniveer” recruitment scheme and distributed local weavers-woven, handloom-produced uniforms to school students.
Speaking on the “NEDFi Haat” website, Sarma said, “It (the website) will be a very powerful platform for market linkages to the artisans and the weavers. I am happy to learn that with the launch of this website, our products will now be made easily available all over the country as well as abroad.”
“It will help increase NeDFI’s presence cutting across all boundaries and frontiers,” he added.
