<span style="color: #222222;">Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren singh distributed emergency working capital finance to 41 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of the State today.<br />''<br />'' This has been done in consequent upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of Rs 20 lakh crores economic package aimed at uplifting the economy weakened by the nation-wide lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic.<br />''<br />''Manipur Chief Minister provided the assistance to MSMEs in coordination with the State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank to enable the MSMEs to resume their normal functioning.<br />''<br />''Speaking at the financial assistance distribution function held in Imphal today, Chief Minister Biren said that announcement of 20 lakh crore economic package was a bold and historic step. The Government took the daring step as the country needs to stimulate the economy while fighting COVID-19 pandemic at the same time. Union Finance Minister had spelt out the details of the economic package in which support to MSME sector had been mentioned as a major component.<br />''<br />''In line with the Central Government's decision, the State too needs to focus on agriculture, horticulture and MSME sectors to revive the State's economy. Manipur stands first in the number of registration of MSMEs in the entire North East and 50% of these MSMEs are owned by women.  The financial assistance in the form of loans from different banks to these enterprises to restart their normal activities would prove to be a success as repayment rate is now encouragingly high in the State, Shri Biren said.<br />''<br />''In a video message released from CM Office, Manipur yesterday, Manipur Chief Minister expressed his support to financial package and said that the State government will continue to take necessary steps to implement the various measures announced by the Union Government, from time to time.</span><br />