FIEO inaugurates SheTrades India Hub to empower women entrepreneurs and enhance global trade
NEW DELHI : The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has launched the SheTrades India Hub, a significant initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening India’s export ecosystem. This endeavor, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and funded by the UK Government’s SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, positions FIEO as the host institution for the 20th SheTrades Hub globally.
The SheTrades India Hub will serve as a comprehensive resource center for women-led businesses across the nation, offering capacity-building workshops, mentoring sessions, business matchmaking events, and policy advocacy. These services aim to support women entrepreneurs in accessing international markets, finance, and business development opportunities, thereby addressing challenges such as limited access to resources and markets.
Mr. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Government of India , in his inaugural address, emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive trade environment. He highlighted the pivotal role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and expressed optimism that the SheTrades India Hub would serve as a catalyst for integrating more women-led businesses into global trade. Mr Sarangi also added that Trade Connect platform with the support of ITC SheTrades India Hub will also further help in promoting women-led exports growth. He further reiterated that the Export Promotion Mission of the government with concrete idea for supporting SheTrades hub can also be looked into complimenting women-led trade growth. DGFT also said that FIEO and ITC should look at enrolling 3 lac women entrepreneurs through this initiative launched today.
Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC underscored the global impact of SheTrades Hubs, noting that they have supported thousands of women entrepreneurs worldwide. She expressed confidence that the SheTrades India Hub would provide Indian women entrepreneurs with the tools and networks necessary to thrive in international markets.
Mr. Ashwani Kumar, President (Officiating), FIEO remarked, that “The SheTrades India Hub marks a pivotal moment for India’s trade ecosystem. This initiative is not only a step forward in empowering women entrepreneurs but also a strategic move to harness their untapped potential in global markets.”
Mr. Israr Ahmed, Vice President (Officiating), FIEO, highlighted the significant growth of India’s e-commerce sector and the essential role women entrepreneurs play in this domain. He noted that with the global e-commerce market projected at USD 2 trillion by 2030, Indian women entrepreneurs are poised to contribute substantially to this expansion.
Dr. Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO, FIEO reiterated the increasing contribution of women in India’s manufacturing sector, particularly in export-led industries like textiles and handicrafts. He stated that initiatives like SheTrades are crucial in providing women entrepreneurs with access to international markets and skill development, thereby strengthening India’s position in global trade. He hoped that Women led businesses will have huge economic and social impact.
Ms. Christina Scott, Acting High Commissioner & Chargé d’Affaires of the UK in India , underlined the UK’s commitment to fostering women’s economic empowerment. She stated, “We are very pleased to launch the SheTrades Hub in India, contributing to a global network aimed at propelling women-owned businesses into international trade.”
In conjunction with the launch, the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme will organize a “Training of Trainers” session on branding and digital marketing on March 17-18, 2025, followed by a training session for women-led businesses on March 19-20 in New Delhi. These sessions aim to equip women entrepreneurs with essential skills to enhance their international market presence.
The establishment of the SheTrades India Hub marks a significant step toward creating an inclusive, sustainable, and gender-equal trade environment, empowering women entrepreneurs to make meaningful contributions to global trade and India’s economic growth.