FLO Mumbai hosted the 15-member ASEAN Women’s Business delegation in Mumbai between February 20 and 21, 2025.
The ASEAN Delegation consisted of – Maria Christina Concepcion (Former Chairperson of Filipina CEO Circle, Chairperson of PhilWEN), Pacita Juan (Trustee of PhilWEN, President of NOWCD), MA. Regina Francisco (Owner, ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle), Tracy Joy Fortu (CEO, MedGlobal Pharmacy), MA. Celeste Narciso (Maricelle) (Trustee of PhilWEN VP-Internal, NOWCD, Dean Marisol Dl Anenias (Dean Mari), Vice President of Business and Professional Women’s Network, BGC Taguig Chapter), MA. Aurora D. President and Founding Chairperson of Geotinagarcia), Marie Jeanne Javelosa (Jeannie), (Trustee of PhilWEN Chairperson of Business and Professional Women’s Network, BGC), Julia Andrea Abad, Executive Director of Business Coalition for Women Empowerment), Maria Rafaella Louise Sol, and Mylene Sardinia (Chief People Officer of Business Process Outsourcing International), Ann Clair M.
Quiambao (Senior Executive Assistant of To the President and CEO Cristina Concepcion), Beena Advani, Imelda Menguito-Sciandra (President and CEO of Corso Como 88), and MA Khine Zaw President and Founder of Earth Group of Companies).
On February 1 – 20, 2025, the delegation visited the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre NMACC at BKC. The coordinators of the convention center gave the delegation a tour of the center where the significance of the cultural center and its artifacts were explained in detail to the visitors. The delegates were taken to a special screening of the Art of Light show where world-renowned artists displayed forms of light in its art form. The delegates were given a history of Mumbai and the contributions made by the Ambani family to the city of Mumbai. The National FLO President Ms. Joyshree Das Verma along with senior FLO Members met with the ASEAN delegates and exchanged business views and ideas on cross-border cultural exchanges.
The delegation was taken to visit the ISKON temple where they were shown the residence of the ISKON Founder Swami Prabhupada and his works of translation of the Bhagvatgeeta and his scripters in various languages which today are preached the world over. They were then taken to experience lunch at the ISKON Govindas restaurant.
The delegation explored Bollywood at Mehboob Studios, witnessing a Dharma Productions photoshoot featuring Janhvi Kapoor. At Wockhardt Towers, the ASEAN delegates engaged in a B2B meeting with FLO Mumbai and Wockhardt’s MD Zahabiya Khorakiwala, discussing a new anti-aging serum.
Zahabiya Khorakiwala, Managing Director at Wockhardt Hospitals gave a presentation to the delegates about a new serum product that has been launched.
FLO Mumbai hosted a networking event where the Chairperson shared key initiatives impacting 50,000+ women with CSR sponsorships of ₹1.25 crores.
Leaders discussed women’s empowerment and business collaborations. Ms. Joyshree Das Verma spoke on the women empowerment programs that are undertaken by FLO and how FLO and ASEAN have over the years worked closely to foster business and cultural ties. The ASEAN Head – Maria Cristina Concepcion spoke on how FLO and the ASEAN association have benefitted women entrepreneurs in both regions and how every year delegations are organized. Senior FLO Mumbai’s Past Presidents and members facilitated the ASEAN delegation.
Senior FLO Mumbai Chairperson Ms, Aarmeen Mogul Dordi, and members Vinita Bimbhet, Lubeina Shahpurwala, and Seema Saroj) along with the Delegates met Maharashtra Governor Mr. C.P. Radhakrishnan, discussing India-ASEAN trade ties, startup growth, and potential direct flights to enhance business.
Governor recognized India as the Startup hub of India and how PM Modi with his visionary leadership skills is able to project India as the most favored nation on the global map. The delegation was invited to see the Raj Bhavan and was hosted by the Governor for tea and snacks.
The ASEAN delegation leader Ms. Maria Cristina Concepcion organized a Mumbai Darshan tour for the delegates where they were shown the iconic sights of Mumbai (Rajabhai Tower, High Court, the Dabbawalas, the University, VT Station, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India).
The delegation then visited Bohri Badri Mahal, where they learned about the Dawoodi Bohra community’s contributions to skilling women, community kitchens, and urban redevelopment projects like Bhendi Bazaar. The day concluded at Woodhouse Gymkhana, where delegates enjoyed a Bohri Thaal dining experience.
