TN Government increases support for women-led businesses

The Government of Tamil Nadu hopes to increase women’s participation in entrepreneurship and economic activity through ‘Vetri Magalir Thozhilmunaivor Membattu Thittam’, which provides affordable institutional finance to eligible women who want to start and grow their own businesses. The aim is to ensure women have access to the capital and institutional support needed to turn their entrepreneurial ambitions into viable businesses.

Access to capital

“Across Tamil Nadu, there are thousands of women with the ambition, ability and determination to build their own businesses, but access to capital can often be a barrier between an idea and a business. The Vetri Magalir Thozhilmunaivor Membattu Thittam is designed to help bridge this gap,” said S. Keerthana, Minister for Industries and Investment Promotion.

Economic empowerment of women must be an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s next phase of industrial and economic growth and she said, “Every successful business run by a woman can create opportunities for other women and strengthen the local economy around it.”

Under this scheme, eligible women entrepreneurs can avail loans ranging from ₹10,000 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 declining balance basis with a repayment period of up to nine years. The Industries Department is rolling out the scheme in all the 234 parliamentary constituencies of Tamil Nadu.

The MLAs were asked to identify 10 promising women from their respective constituencies. Applications will then be assessed on the basis of eligibility and merit.

Published – 27 Sep 2026 23:40 IST