World Trade Center Mumbai signed an MoU with WEConnect International, which is a global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers around the world on the occasion of a programme on Women’s Day Celebration organised by BC-India Business Network and WTC Mumbai jointly with All India Association of Industries, IDOBRO and other partners.

WEConnect International is a Washington-headquartered organisation that provides a global platform for connecting women entrepreneurs to multinational companies and other large companies sourcing goods and services from MSMEs. Under this MoU, WTC Mumbai will leverage the tools and services of WEConnect to assist local women entrepreneurs to grow their business in internationally.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO & Co-founder, WEConnect International pointed out, “Women are invisible in the Global Value Chain. Multinational companies (MNCs) annually spend USD 4 trillion on procurement orders for various goods and services and hardly 1% of this procurement opportunity goes to women. MNCs should make their procurement and spending purposeful by engaging women vendors. I suggest all women entrepreneurs to get certified as qualified sellers and gain orders from member companies on the WEConnect platform.”

Ms. Elizabeth invited women entrepreneurs to register on WEConnect International which certifies women entrepreneurs so that they can explore procurement opportunities with companies, including multinational companies across 135 countries.

In her remarks, Ms. Elaine D'Souza, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada pointed out the need to walk the talk on empowering women by pointing out that this year’s theme of International Women’s Day celebration is ‘Accelerate Action’ for inclusive growth.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, WTC Mumbai highlighted the role of WTC Mumbai in facilitating global market access for women entrepreneurs.

Ms. Naik informed that according to Indian government regulation, central public sector enterprises have to make at least 3% of their annual procurement from women-owned micro and small enterprises. “WTC Mumbai will facilitate women entrepreneurs to benefit from this procurement opportunity through networking sessions, vendor development programs and other trade facilitation initiatives,” Ms. Naik added.

During the event, Ms. Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan, President, BC-India Business Network remarked that women are as powerful as water which can cut through the rock. Women need to believe in themselves and act with conviction. Ms. Madhavan also emphasised on ethics and the principles of sustainability. She pointed out that in this age of sustainable development, women-owned enterprises should adopt sustainable practices as a business priority to succeed in the local and global market.

The programme was also addressed by Ms. Kashmira Mewawala, former Head Business Development & Chief Ethics Counsellor, TATA CAPITAL, Ms. Sakina Bedi, Spokesperson, NFBM Jagriti School for Blind Girls, Ms. Geethu Pai, Co-Founder, ZenAlyaa, Ms. Kanika Sasan, a distinguished actor and business owner, Mr. Jamshed Mistry, Founder, International Legal Alliance and Spiritual Coach Ms. Anshul Bafna

Promotional Photo Caption: Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, WTC Mumbai (left) and Ms. Priya Pansare, Director – Trade & Investment Promotion, WTC Mumbai (3rd from left) exchanging MoU with Ms. Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO & Co-founder, WEConnect International (middle) on the sidelines of the Women’s Day Programme in Mumbai.