Bengaluru, September 16: Women entrepreneurs in South Asia are making big strides in global trade, thanks to a powerful initiative by WEConnect International. Backed by the U.S. Department of State, the organization just wrapped up its final Regional Business Conference, Trade For Impact, in Bengaluru. This event is part of the three-year project called Maximising Women Business Owner Contributions through Trade, aimed at boosting women-owned businesses (WOBs) in international markets.
Did you know? In South Asia, women-owned enterprises account for nearly 20% of all businesses, but only about 5% of them dive into global trade. This project is changing that story by highlighting impact sourcing—where companies choose suppliers that create positive social change—and showing how women can power up global supply chains.
The conference drew over 200 excited participants, including women entrepreneurs, corporate bosses, policymakers, and partners from across South Asia. They gathered to celebrate the project’s huge wins and plan the next steps for women in trade.
Over the past three years, the initiative has rocked the business world for women in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It connected more than 5,600 women-owned businesses to global opportunities. Plus, it delivered over 8,000 hours of training that helped more than 2,100 women entrepreneurs level up their skills. The results? Around 4,000 fresh business links and over 100 real deals between corporations and WOBs.
Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International, shared her excitement: “This conference marks the end of an amazing journey that shows the real power of women in economic trade. We’ve linked thousands of women-owned businesses with big companies and built their skills to shine on the world stage. It’s not just about empowering entrepreneurs—it’s about making supply chains stronger and more sustainable.”
Corporations jumped in big time too. The project educated over 500 companies on the perks of impact sourcing. A whopping 225 firms joined matchmaking sessions with WOBs, and 10 top-level roundtables zeroed in on strategies to bring more women into supply chains. This opened doors like never before for women entrepreneurs.
Government and ecosystem support played a key role as well. Prof. M.V. Rajeev Gowda, former Rajya Sabha MP and ex-IIM Bangalore professor, put it perfectly: “Women entrepreneurs drive India’s growth story. Programs like this unleash their talent for innovation, cross-border trade, and boosting prosperity at home and across the region.”
The project also built strong regional ties, sparking 18 partnerships with top business associations and chambers. It hosted 22 major events and conferences that pulled in over 2,000 people, strengthening networks and creating a supportive space for women to thrive locally, regionally, and worldwide.
This push for women in international trade is inspiring, and it’s clear these efforts will keep rippling out for years to come.
(Advertorial Disclaimer: This story is based on a press release from PNN. takes no responsibility for the content.)
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