FLO – SCWEC EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE ON “BEST PRACTICES IN INTRA-REGIONAL BUSINESS AMONG SAARC COUNTRIES & SHARING OF SUCCESS STORIES BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR FROM SAARC COUNTRIES” NEW DELHI:

FLO in collaboration with the SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneurs Council (SCWEC) is organized n exhibition for Women Entrepreneurs from SAARC countries as also from all over India on September 18-19, 2015 at FICCI Lawns, New Delhi.

Along with the exhibition, a half day conference was organised on September 18 on “Best Practices in intra –regional businesses among SAARC countries” and on September 19th, the topic of the conference was “Sharing of Success Stories by Women Entrepreneur from SAARC Countries”.

Mr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (Independent charge) and Minister of State for Prime Minister Office Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Government of India inaugurated the exhibition on September 18th, 2015 and also delivered the Keynote Address at the Conference on September 18th, 2015.

The Exhibition brought together women entrepreneurs from the SAARC Countries under one roof, with the objective of providing a platform to showcase products, specific to their businesses. It was an excellent opportunity for exploring marketing tie-ups, collaborations leading to enhanced bilateral relations as also creating a sustainable and ongoing trade engagement amongst them.

Women entrepreneurs from across India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan participated in the exhibition. A complementary exhibition stall was provided to each SAARC country inorder to promote trade exchanges among the women entrepreneurs of SCWEC countries. FLO &SCWECalso encouraged NGO’s like Four steps to participate in the exhibition and display their social initiatives for the marginalized section. Complimentary health check-up for women was also organized in association with Lal Path Labs during two days of Exhibition.

PCJ Jewellers were the Title Sponsor, whereas Catch was the Co-Sponsor for the exhibition.

The objective of the Conference was to develop and promote women entrepreneurs in the South Asian region and facilitate co-operation and networking especially among the women entrepreneurs of the SAARC region.

The highlight of the session was the felicitation ofthe outstanding women achievers from India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Nepal , who have made huge contributions in their respective areas and have been truly exceptional. The awardees were: Rabia Muradi, Afghanistan; TauhidaHaider, Banglades; GyemLham, Bhutan; WandanaParnami, India; ShairaSaleem, Maldives; Reeta Simha, Nepal and Faiza Samee, Pakistan.

Sh. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, President- SAARC CC and Ms Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Chairperson – SCWEC addressed the session. It was also attended by H.E. Shaida Mohammad Abdali Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to India and H E Mr Ahmed Mohamed, High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to India .

The panel discussion on September 19th was moderated by IndraniBagchi, Senior Diplomatic Editor, The Times of India. SCWEC Chairperson, Ms Shaista Parvaiz Malik and Vice Chairs from each country- Sabera Ahmed Koli, – Bangladesh; Damchae Dem,– Bhutan; ShairaSaleem , Maldives; Hina Mansab Khan, – Pakistan; Anuradha Goel – India were a part of the panel. They shared their experiences of entrepreneurial skills and building trade links among the women of the SAARC region.

OBJECTIVES:

• To Generating awareness and bridging gaps for tapping the opportunities that exist for enhancing the business between the women entrepreneurs
• Enhance information and knowledge on trade related issues at the interface between women entrepreneurs, with special reference to export policies.

ABOUT SCWEC

SCWEC was established on March 29, 2001 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the objective of developing and promoting women entrepreneurs in the South Asian region.

Works towards facilitating co-operation and networking among the women entrepreneurs of the SAARC region.

It is an effective platform for strengthening the intra-regional development of women entrepreneurship for economic development thus helping to exchange information on entrepreneurial skills and building trade links among the women of the SAARC region.

SCWEC is committed to the development of woman entrepreneurship with tangible goals of increasing business opportunities, building markets, job creation as well as strategic networking and growing woman run enterprises into mainstream business.