The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) on Saturday successfully concluded its first batch of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programs (ESDPs) in eight districts of Udhampur, Anantnag, Bandipora, Budgam, Ramban, Shopian, Reasi and Kulgam under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme.
The initiative, being funded by the Union Ministry of MSME, is being implemented in the Union Territory by the Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Launched on May 5, 2025, the four week programs trained a total of 228 aspiring entrepreneurs, including 107 women, reflecting a significant step towards gender inclusivity in the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The intensive 104-hour curriculum aimed at enhancing the managerial, financial and strategic capabilities of the participants through classroom sessions, field visits, expert interactions and practical workshops. The ESDPs were designed to enable the participants to scale operations, improve competitiveness and establish sustainable enterprises.
The ESDP curriculum, developed by the domain experts, featured modules on business planning, marketing strategies, digital tools, financial literacy, legal compliance, innovation and leadership.
The participants also benefited from mentorship sessions, case studies and real-world exposure through field visits to successful business ventures. Valedictory sessions were held at all three locations.
All the sessions were attended by faculty members and officials from JKEDI, who played an active role in training delivery and program monitoring. Besides, subject matter specialists from District Industries Centres and the Labour and Employment Department provided sector-specific inputs, adding value to the participant learning experience.
The successful completion of these ESDPs is expected to have a positive impact on the entrepreneurial landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, contributing to the creation of competitive, innovative and job-generating enterprises that will drive sustainable regional economic growth.