The Union Budget should prioritise reducing barriers and ensuring easy access to credit for women entrepreneurs, facilitating their journey towards success. A thriving ecosystem for women entrepreneurs is crucial for fostering economic growth and diversity. I strongly advocate for additional tax benefits to be extended to women entrepreneurs on their business investments. This encourages more women to venture into entrepreneurship and recognises and supports their contributions to the business landscape.
Women entrepreneurs should be granted a standard deduction on their income. This would alleviate financial burdens and create a more equitable playing field in the entrepreneurial arena.
Addressing the issue of access to credit is paramount. It’s disheartening to see that less than 6% of startups have solely women founders, primarily due to challenges in obtaining credit. Lowering the GST rate for sales made by women entrepreneurs would be a significant step towards promoting gender-inclusive economic policies. This would not only boost sales but also encourage more women to participate in business activities actively. Aashna Khanna, Founder, Yukio (Renowned for her visionary work in the fashion industry, with over 6 years of experience in the Direct-to-Consumer space)