Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute has launched the fifth and sixth batches of its Management Development Programmes across 18 districts of the Union Territory under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance scheme. The programme is funded by the Ministry of MSME and implemented in Jammu and Kashmir by the Industries and Commerce Department. The Management Development Programmes were inaugurated simultaneously in Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Samba, Jammu, Pulwama, Ramban, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda, Poonch, Kulgam, Kupwara, Kathua, Kishtwar and Udhampur. A total of 504 entrepreneurs have enrolled for the 30-hour training programme spread over six days, including 479 women participants. At Udhampur, the programme was inaugurated by Jugal Kumar Sharma, Additional District Development Commissioner, while the inaugural session at Nagam in Budgam was presided over by Irshad Ahmad Dar, Block Programme Manager under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. In other districts, the programmes were launched by respective district nodal officers and their teams. The district-level initiatives have seen strong participation from local MSMEs, who will receive practical training in contemporary business management practices. The programmes are aimed at strengthening managerial, financial and operational capabilities, enabling entrepreneurs to scale operations, enhance competitiveness and adopt sustainable business models. The MDP curriculum includes business planning, marketing strategies, use of digital tools, financial literacy, statutory compliance, innovation and leadership. These modules are supported by case studies, mentorship sessions and experiential workshops to provide hands-on exposure. During the six-day programme, participating entrepreneurs will engage with industry experts, certified trainers and JKEDI faculty. The simultaneous rollout across 18 districts highlights JKEDI’s focus on inclusive entrepreneurship development, particularly in remote and underserved regions of the Union Territory.