Description:
The ambitious Indian economic goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy can be achieved through a thrust on rural entrepreneurship, among other things. ICTs can make significant contributions in encouraging rural entrepreneurship because they offer better process efficiencies and ease participation of people and enterprises. ICTs can also vastly expand economic networks thereby enhancing economic opportunities. The policy approach towards leveraging ICTs for rural entrepreneurship development should be to facilitate information needs, regulatory needs and financing needs of aspiring as well as existing entrepreneurs. Capacities of relevant institutions to relate to present day realities in view of digital needs also have to be built and enhanced. The public sector, private sector and the non-profit sector, all have to work in a spirit of collaboration for effective results in rural entrepreneurship. ICTs and Digital technologies offer a great opportunity to fulfil all the above needs for rural entrepreneurship facilitation and promotion in India.