Manipur leads the northeastern region in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) registrations, with 12,438 businesses registered between 2015 and 2019, according to Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Highlighting that 50% of these businesses are owned by women, Singh emphasized the state’s entrepreneurial spirit and its contribution to the national MSME landscape, with Manipur holding a 0.3% share in MSME businesses despite having just 0.2% of India's population.
Singh further stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the northeastern region is poised to become the "Growth Engine of New India." The state government has launched various initiatives to support local entrepreneurs, such as the "One Family One Livelihood" mission. This program provides loans of up to Rs 10 lakh, with 30% of the loan amount offered as a grant, and has supported 2,575 entrepreneurs under the Manipur State Credit Guarantee Scheme.
The CM also discussed the significant role of start-ups in providing employment to displaced persons, noting that seven successful start-ups in the state have created job opportunities for around 300 internally displaced individuals. However, Singh acknowledged challenges faced by small enterprises, including a lack of technical support and awareness. He urged banks to expedite loan disbursements and encouraged borrowers to ensure timely repayments to avoid restrictions on future loans.