In a major boost to women entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Small Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched the ‘Mahila Ukhalam Nidhi’ scheme, aimed at empowering women through self-employment opportunities. The scheme offers financial support in the form of loans up to Rs.10 lakh to women aspiring to start their own businesses.The ‘Mahila Ukhalam Nidhi’ scheme primarily targets businesses in the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), trading, and manufacturing sectors. Beneficiaries of the scheme will have a period of up to 10 years to repay the loan, making it an attractive option for women looking to establish or expand their ventures.To access this loan, women entrepreneurs can approach local banks participating in the scheme. SIDBI has initiated this program to promote women’s entrepreneurship and strengthen their presence in the business world, ensuring financial inclusion and economic independence for women in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.This initiative is expected to pave the way for a significant increase in women-owned businesses across various sectors, thereby contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.