India has third largest startup ecosystem in the world, says Anurag Thakur

Palghar:

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday urged women entrepreneurs to leverage digital technology to help small businesses become more resilient and drive change.

Anurag Thakur, while addressing the 40th annual conference of FICCI Women’s Organization, said that financial inclusion and digitalization are crucial to achieve women’s economic empowerment.

Anurag Thakur said: “Women must play a greater role in economic development. Empowering women, addressing their concerns and amplifying their voices are the top priorities of this government.”

He said that India has the third largest startup ecosystem in the world, with 120,000 startups and 110 unicorns.

“When India becomes the third largest economy in the next three years, women’s contribution will be even greater,” he said.

“Women’s adoption of advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can be a tool for small business growth and increase their resilience,” he said.

Adopting digital for small businesses means being able to flexibly adapt to disruptions and continue operating, he said.

Anurag Thakur said: “Small entrepreneurs in small cities and villages are the backbone of the Indian economy and play an intrinsic role in India’s goal of becoming the third largest economy by 2030.”

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