FLO Delegation 2022

Customary, Jayanti Dalmia, National President FLO led a delegation of 36 members to Doha, Athens and Paris between September 8-16, 2022. The multisectoral delegation had representations from sectors like Education, Chemicals and Pharma, Textile, Luxury and Lifestyle, Finance, Art.

Meeting with Qatar Businesswomen Council (QBWC), Doha

The emirate has for years sat near the bottom of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, which tracks gaps between women and men in employment, education, health and politics.

Qatar tops the region in gender equality, women’s participation in the labour force, equality in wages in government sector and the highest rate of female enrolment in universities. Qatari women hold the highest administrative positions, including ministerial berths, take part in municipal and the Shura Council elections as candidates and are an effective partner in decision-making processes at the highest levels.

FLO delegation of 36 women called on Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBAW ) which was established in year 2000 to enhance women’s contribution to the economic activity which constitutes a real gain both to Qatari women and the society at large.

QBWA’s Mission is to provide the platform to empower business and professional women and to unlock the potential of future generations in support to the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Fauzia Vohra – CEO & Partner, FAB Entertainment welcomed the members of both the countries for the luncheon meeting. She was instrumental in organising the meeting for the FLO delegation.

H.E Sheikha Al Anood Bint Khalifah Bin Hamad Al Thani, President, and an icon herself in her address, talked about how women of her country have come a long way and now actively participation in health, education, skilling etc. fuelling the economic growth of their country.

Jayanti Dalmia, President, FLO introduced FICCI Ladies organisation and noted that trade exchange between Qatar and India stood at $15.3bn in the 2021-2022 financial year, women still need to make their mark in trade. She also shared that almost 15000 Indian businesses are registered in Qatar. She offered to open dialogue between the two bodies to help women find opportunities. She proposed to use the common modalities such as capacity building & skill development programmes, advocacy campaigns, recognition of excellence by awards, research & publications on various issues related to women & business besides other aspects.

The members of both the chambers mingled and networked over lunch and shared about their work and businesses, seeking collaborations and partnerships.

The program showcased clothes, jewellery, dry fruits, art in a small exhibition created alongside.

Meeting with CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker, Doha

The FLO delegation was hosted at the Harrods Tea Rooms Doha, that celebrates Doha’s historic fine teas. The delegation met CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker and thanked him for facilitating the delegation’s entire travel.

Meeting with Mrs. Efraimoglou-Kounenakis at ACCI premises – Center of Entrepreneurship, Athens

FLO delegation met Ms. Sofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou the newly elected 1st woman President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA). Mrs. Kounenaki-Efraimoglou has been President and CEO of Vivodi Telecom and President of Fortius Finance Securities S.A., companies which she both founded.

The delegation also met Christina Sakellaridis, President PEA and Members of National Chamber Network of Women Entrepreneurs (EEDEGE).

Fanis Matsopoulos, Member of ACCI Board of Directors and a few other Members of ACCI board of directors were also present for the meeting.

Fanis Matsopoulos, Member of ACCI Board of Directors welcomed the delegation. He introduced the working of the chamber and the relation that the chamber shared with Indian counterparts. He introduced the President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) and Jayanti Dalmia, President FLO and handed over the mike for their address.

Kounenaki-Efraimoglou addressed the delegation and shared her admiration for an all women delegation and hoped that a close collaborate for trade and business could be established between the two countries.

Jayanti Dalmia in her address emphasised that the economic and commercial relations between the two countries continue to grow and can certainly receive a new dynamic in the near future with women playing a crucial role in enhancing ties between both the nations. She extended an invite to the chamber to visit India.

The members of the FLO delegation introduced themselves so that the present members could connect with them based on their business interest.

The meeting was followed by refreshments which facilitated informal interaction between members.

Meeting with the Paris chamber of commerce, Paris

FLO & the Paris Chamber of Commerce share the same goal of facilitating entrepreneurship in all scales and types of business and to work as an enabling platform for entrepreneurs to discover their strengths and potential to thrive in a competitive business environment by doing things differently, successfully, and profitably.

The CCI Paris hosted the delegation of FICCI Ladies Organisation led by President, Jayanti Dalmia, the President. The event was held at the prestigious Salle du Vitrail in the premises of CCIP Paris.

Seated on a round table, the leaders of the two sides were welcomed by Benedicted Brouard, President, CCIFI.

President of CCIP also welcomed the delegates and made a presentation outlining the work anchored by the chamber.

This was followed by a presentation by Marie Christine Oghly, president of FCEM.

Jayanti Dalmia President FLO too made a presentation describing the work done by FLO towards women’s empowerment with focus on entrepreneurship development and economic enhancement of Women. She said that the objective of FLO delegation was to expand two-way trade and investment opportunities, support economic growth and security, and promote innovation in both the India and France, especially for women.

Jayanti Dalmia, proposed to create a roadmap for exchanging models and good lessons towards empowering women and building concrete interlinkages between women’s economic empowerment and transforming social norms.

Meeting with the France India Friendship Group @ Assemble Nationale

A guided tour was organised for FLO delegation to the Assemble de Nationale. Assemble de Nationale is the lower house of the bicameral French Parliament under the Fifth Republic, the upper house being the Senate (Sénat).

The delegation met Celine Calvez, President, France India Friendship Group. The interaction was informal yet engaging.

India- France Friendship Forum, which is to promote cross cultural ties between India and France and to provide a platform for exchange of ideas among the people from both countries.

Meeting with ASSISES DE LA PARITE

ASSISES DE LA PARITE brings together thousands of decision makers to promote dialogue, exchange, and progress towards gender equality in society and the workplace.

FLO delegation met the members of the group led by Lucille Desjonqueres, President of the International women’s forum. She made an insightful presentation on the work done by the body.

The Indian side was represented by Jayanti Dalmia, President FLO and Past President Vinita Bimbhet who leads FLO’s Gender Parity Index and the Diversity vertical of FICCI FLO’s Greater 50.

Jayanti Dalmia, President FLO, opened the dialogue on behalf of the delegation and shared the History of FLO and initiatives towards gender parity and economic independence of women.

Past President Vinita Bimbhet shared some glaring facts on gender mainstreaming from India along with the gender sensitization initiatives that she leads in FICCI and FLO. She also presented the copies of the report to Lucille Desjonqueres, President of the International women’s forum.

There was free interaction and discussion on the beautiful rooftop of EPOKA in Paris.

Dinner Reception hosted by the Indian Embassy in Paris

Dr. Praffulchandra Sharma, Deputy Chief of Mission hosted the FLO delegates over dinner at the Indian Embassy.

Dr. Sharma was introduced to each member of the delegation by the Executive Director of FLO, Rashmi Sarita. After personally engaging with each delegate, he formally welcomed the delegates and also introduced the eminent women of Indian origin. The embassy had invited them to meet the delegation along with the officials of the Indian Embassy.

Jayanti Dalmia, President FLO in her address thanked him for his support and guidance in making the itinerary for Paris for the FLO delegation.

Rekha Lahoti, GB member FLO and in- charge for the FLO delegation itinerary for FLO delegation 2022 joined in to convey her gratitude to Dr Sharma.

She thanked Deepanshu Khurana, Second Secretary (E&C) for his support along with his other teammates.
The delegation proceeded to visit the Eiffel tower after a delicious Indian dinner.