Chandigarh, Sept 26 - Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh today called upon financial institutions to strengthen their outreach to rural women entrepreneurs by simplifying loan processes, reducing collateral requirements and treating every self-help group and micro-enterprise as a partner in nation-building.

Addressing the valedictory session of the Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship (WISE) 2026, on the theme “Rooted in Rural, Powered by Technology: Building Sustainable Futures for Women-Led MSMEs,” organised by the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) India here, the Governor said that banks must take financial services to villages and small towns so that women entrepreneurs do not have to struggle to access institutional credit. Smt. Mitra Ghosh, First Lady of Haryana was also present on this occasion.

Describing market access equally important as access to finance, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that women who weave, farm, craft or create products with skill and dedication deserve access to both digital and physical marketplaces where their products can receive their true value and reach customers beyond the boundaries of their villages and small towns.

He also called upon industry bodies and e-commerce platforms to create dedicated spaces, both online and offline, for rural women-led MSMEs. He also stressed the need for greater investment in skilling programmes that combine traditional knowledge with modern technology, including GI-tagging of local crafts, digital marketing, modern packaging and export documentation.

Congratulating COWE India for organizing the summit, the Governor said that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has consistently envisioned MSMEs as the backbone of a self-reliant India. He said that when small enterprises thrive, particularly those led by women, the benefits extend to families, communities and the nation as a whole. Referring to initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, Stand-Up India and the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, he said these initiatives seek to expand access to finance and create opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The Governor said that the vision of empowering women is closely reflected in the theme of the summit, which combines the strengths of rural India with the opportunities offered by technology.

Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh urged the participants to carry forward the confidence and knowledge gained during the summit and become mentors and torchbearers for women in their respective communities who may still be hesitant to take their first step towards entrepreneurship. “Return to your communities not just as entrepreneurs, but as mentors and torchbearers for other women who are still hesitant to begin,” he said.

He appreciated COWE India for providing a platform for dialogue, networking and knowledge-sharing among women entrepreneurs, industry leaders, financial institutions and other stakeholders, and expressed hope that the deliberations of WISE 2026 would translate into meaningful opportunities for women-led enterprises, particularly in rural areas.

Uma Ghurka, Founder Director, COWE India; Neeraja Reddy Vemula, National President, COWE India; Jyotsna Cheruvu, National Vice President, COWE India; Renu Sharma, President COWE Delhi Chapter; members of COWE India; industry leaders; government representatives; bankers and women entrepreneurs were also present on the occasion.