Workshop on Enhancing Women's Economic Empowerment

GOA, INDIA -  Workshop was held on Enhancing Women's Economic Empowerment.

"World Trade Centre Goa ramps up efforts on Women Economic Empowerment"

Women represent over 50% of the population in India. Their foray in the economic activities of the state can enhance the growth and strengthen the trade and industry of the region. This is the most powerful resource which is underutilized and women have to come in the forefront and take up challenging careers, harness their skills and strengthen their participation and involvement, in the economic, social, cultural and educational fields said Ms. Nila Mohanan,Secretary Education and Civil Aviation, Government of Goa, in her keynote address during the Workshop on "Enhancing Women's Economic Empowerment" organized by World Trade Centre Goa and World Trade Centre Mumbai.

Ms. Nila Mohanan, further expressed that exchange of new ideas through Networking opportunities would bring in linkages for the new ideas to flourish and help the women to form collective groups among themselves and harness the true potential of the entrepreneurship spirit that is inherent in all women. She said that issues like safety, hygiene, child care, flexi working hours would make more women feel that they can be part of this economic revolution that we are talking about in our country. She thanked the World Trade Centre for taking this initiative and assured her support to WTC in any initiative that they would take in the field of women’s Economic or Social Empowerment.

Ms. Rupa Naik, Director – Projects WTC Mumbai, said that the objective of the Workshop was to sensitize, create awareness and build up a unique platform to promote and enhance Women's Economic Empowerment. Specific Programmes for women who are Start-ups, entrepreneurship development programmes, will be taken up by WTC Goa, to create entrepreneurs and facilitate the existing women entrepreneurs to move to the next level. She also touched upon the upcoming Global Economic Summit GES 2017 that World Trade Centre would be organizing from 27th to 29th March 2017, at Mumbai. She said that this Summit would see a participation of Women entrepreneurs, academicians, policy makers, social entrepreneurs and bankers from India and across the world. The highlights of the Summit would be Conference, Exhibition, B2B Meetings, Visits to SMES and the release of a Hand Book on Women Empowerment, Business to Business Meetings, Awards ceremony to facilitate women who have done extraordinary work in their chosen field and visits to Women owned and managed enterprises. She encouraged all participants to participate at GES 2017 in Large Numbers and take advantage of all the numerous advantages that the Summit will offer.

Mr. M. P. Raiker, Advisor World Trade Centre Goa in his address shared about the Government’s initiatives of Startup India and Stand up India. He also informed about the exemptions granted to IT companies for the next 5 Years. Mr. Raiker also stated that each of the 1,25,000 Bank Branches have a target to grant a loan to at least one MSME thus opening up a huge opportunity for Finance. He encouraged all participants to take advantage of the global Mileage that WTC Goa, is offering to help women come together and harness their Economic Potential.

Mr. N. Ramesh, Divisional Manager, Canara Bank, highlighted the numerous schemes that the bank has to offer. He also spoke of the schemes that are tailor-made especially for the women Entrepreneurs.
Mr. Ramesh also informed the participants about the different requirements and preparatory work that has to be undertaken before a loan is sanctioned.

Mr. Gosalia, Regional coordinator Icreate India, Ms. Sheryl Afonso, Partner Norbert Fitness Studios and Ms Rohini Gonsalves spoke on the top of Economic Empowerment of Women through Entrepreneurship & Skill Development.

Ms Pallavi Salgaocar, Managing Director, Desserts N More spoke on the topic of Access to Market, Technology and Product Information while Mr B S Pai Angle, General Manager Finance, EDC Ltd highlighted the various financial schemes that EDC Ltd has to offer.

The Vote of thanks was presented by Ms Rahila Khan, Lecturer in Garment Technology, Government Polytechnic.

Over 100 Women participated in this workshop and has created the much desired interest among women groups to take initiatives and participate in various economic activities and further enhance their businesses and local and international linkages with the support of WTC Goa.

Dignitaries seen in the Picture ( From Right to Left) Mr Manish Gosalia, Regional Coordinator, ICreate India, Mr. M. P. Raiker, Advisor WTC, Goa, Ms Rahila Khan, Lecturer in Garment Technology Government Polytechnic, Ms Rohini Gonsalves, Proprietor, Sevaraat, Ms Pallavi Salgaocar, Managing Director- Deserts N More, Chief Guest, Ms Nila Mohanan, IAS, Secretary Education & Civil Aviation, Govt. of Goa, Ms Rupa Naik, Director Projects, WTC , Mumbai, Ms Sheryl Afonso, Partner, Norbert Fitness Studios,
Mr N Ramesh, Divisional Manager, Canara Bank, Mr Cyril Desouza, Asst. Director - Trade Promotion, WTC, Goa.

The program was oganized on on Wednesday, 21st December 2016, at " Nalanda" Hall, EDC House. Panaji, Goa.


To learn more about WTC Goa, please click on the source link below.