At the SME Bharat Conclave 2026 held in Mumbai, CA Santosh Kelkar, Chairman of Janakalyan Sahakari Bank, underlined the critical role of the MSME sector in driving India’s economic growth.
Addressing entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders, Kelkar described MSMEs as the “true engine” of the nation’s development. He stated that the bank’s approach goes beyond conventional lending, focusing instead on creating a unified platform that combines financial assistance with professional guidance to help businesses scale from “idea to industry.”
In a key announcement, he revealed that the bank will launch a special scheme for women entrepreneurs on March 8, marking International Women’s Day. The initiative will feature reduced interest rates and tailored support services aimed at empowering women-led enterprises.
Kelkar emphasized that accessible finance and structured mentoring are essential to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
