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India poised for $30 trillion economy in next 30 years; Women to play critical role: Piyush Goyal

Jul 26, 2022

  • We should aspire for 50 per cent of directors to be women, not by reservation but by choice
  • FTA with the United Kingdom in final stages

NEW DELHI, 26 July 2022: Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Govt of India yesterday asserted that India should be aspiring for much faster and much deeper growth. "Even at 8 per cent growth in our GDP over the next 30 years, India may be well beyond $30 trillion economy. Women power will play an important role in this and there is always space for them on the high table," he added.

Addressing the FICCI FLO session 'Invest in Her: Women Entrepreneurship, Trade and Commerce', Mr Goyal added that we will never be able to achieve an inclusive growth unless women are given importance. "It is the empowerment is ultimately what is going to help all the women in our country. Unless we see more and more women coming into the workforce and see them as entrepreneurs, we can't achieve our target," he emphasized.

Mr Goyal also stressed on more women representation in businesses as directors, owners based on merit and not just reservations. "Unless we set ambitious goals, we are not going to achieve much. We should be aspiring for 50 per cent of directors of companies to be women, not by reservation but by choice and sheer capabilities," he added.

Speaking on women empowerment, the Minister stated that Prime Minister has been clear that unless we strengthen the women of India, we will never be able to look at inclusive growth. Whether it is 12 crore toilets, 10 crore cooking gas connections or free ration, it shows the government's sensitivity. He also emphasized on the need to boost the handloom and handicrafts sector. "The government has decided to gift only handicrafts or handloom products Made in India in this 75th year of Independence. We must be able to create a market to support the women entrepreneurs," he noted.

The Centre, he said is working actively with different countries to finalize Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and talks with United Kingdom (UK) are in final stages which will give zero duty access to various business sectors in world market.

On Ms Draupadi Murmu taking over as the 15th President of India, Mr Goyal said that she is a tribal woman coming from the Santhal tribe of Odisha and truly represents the strength of Indian women. "India is changing and changing for the better," he added.

Ms Jayanti Dalmia, President, FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) said that India is poised to benefit from equality where currently only 25 per cent of the labor force is female. The economic impact of achieving gender equality in India is estimated to be US$ 700 billion of added GDP by 2025, she added.

The Minister also released a Dossier with government policies for women entrepreneurship and Trade and unveiled a FLO startup mentor ship platform at the event led by Dr Aarti Gupta, CIO, DBR ventures and Ms Dharitri Patnaik, MD, Jivada Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

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