Bengal tops MSME manufacturing, leads in women-headed enterprises: CM Mamata

West Bengal has secured the top position in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) manufacturing and recorded the highest percentage of women-headed establishments in India, according to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023-24 by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The survey, covering the period from October 2023 to September 2024, highlights the state's significant contribution across multiple economic sectors.

According to the findings, West Bengal accounts for the highest share of manufacturing enterprises in India at 16.02%, followed by a strong presence in "Other Services" enterprises at 13.09%. The state also leads in workforce engagement in manufacturing enterprises, contributing 13.81% of the total workers in this sector. Additionally, it recorded the highest percentage of women-headed establishments in the country, standing at 36.4%. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, sharing the data, posted on X, "Happy to share that the recently published findings of the ‘Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises’ conducted by the National Statistics Office, Government of India, once again establish Bengal’s top position in MSME manufacturing industries and, simultaneously, our women’s wonderful performance there."

The survey also revealed that West Bengal has the highest percentage of female workforce participation in unincorporated sector enterprises, accounting for 12.73% of the total women workers in this segment. The unincorporated non-agricultural sector is a crucial part of India’s economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce and contributing to economic growth. The total number of establishments in this sector grew from 6.5 crore in 2022-23 to 7.34 crore in 2023-24, marking a 12.84% increase. Among the broad sectors covered, "Other Services" recorded a growth of 23.55%, while the manufacturing sector grew by 13%.

The ASUSE 2023-24 findings show that around 39% of these establishments were engaged in either retail trade (approximately 27%) or the manufacturing of wearing apparel (around 12%). Among the major states, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of establishments in both rural and urban areas, followed by West Bengal and Maharashtra. The detailed survey report and unit-level data were released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on December 24, 2024.

The data underscores the growth of the unincorporated sector and its role in India’s employment landscape. The survey findings also indicate a significant presence of women entrepreneurs in Bengal, with the state accounting for the largest share of female-led businesses in India. The rise in the number of enterprises across various sectors reflects an overall expansion in economic activities within the unincorporated sector.