T.N. government steps up support for enterprises headed by women

The Tamil Nadu government hopes to expand women’s participation in entrepreneurship and economic activity through the ‘Vetri Magalir Thozhilmunaivor Membattu Thittam’, providing accessible institutional finance to eligible women aspiring to start and grow their own enterprises. The idea is to ensure women have access to the capital and institutional support required to turn their entrepreneurial aspirations into viable businesses.Access to capital“There are thousands of women across Tamil Nadu with the ambition, ability, and determination to build their own enterprises, but access to capital can often be the barrier between an idea and a business. The Vetri Magalir Thozhilmunaivor Membattu Thittam is designed to help bridge that gap,” said S. Keerthana, Minister for Industries and Investment Promotion.Stating women’s economic empowerment must be an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s next phase of industrial and economic growth, she said, “Every successful woman-led enterprise can create opportunities for other women and strengthen the local economy around it.”Under the scheme, eligible women entrepreneurs can avail themselves of loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹5 crore through the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC).The loans are offered at an interest rate of 9.95% per annum on a diminishing balance basis, with a repayment period of up to nine years. The Industries Department is taking the scheme to all 234 Assembly constituencies of Tamil Nadu.MLAs have been requested to identify 10 promising women from their respective constituencies. The applications will subsequently be examined based on eligibility and merit. Published - September 27, 2026 11:40 pm IST