The Women Entrepreneurship Committee of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) organized a Special guidance program on ‘International Trade and Capital Raising for Women Entrepreneurs’ on July 21, 2023. The event was organized jointly with Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank.

Mrs. Rupa Naik, Executive Director - World Trade Center Mumbai was the Guest speaker at the program. Ms. Naik shared valuable insights and useful tips for existing and aspiring women exporters to foray into the global market. Ms. Naik suggested women entrepreneurs to come out of their comfort zone and explore global market for their products and services to grow their business.

She pointed out that women entrepreneurs can participate in global trade fairs and exhibitions to understand trends in global demand, consumer preferences and emerging market opportunities for their products. She said, “You can visit the Global Trade Helpdesk to know all the trade fairs and exhibitions across the world. To start with, you can attend exhibitions in neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.”

Ms. Naik highlighted market opportunities in UAE, Mauritius and Australia, with which India signed trade agreement recently. She remarked, “India recently signed three trade agreements, one each with UAE, Mauritius and Australia, which opens huge market opportunity for Indian businesses in these markets. Specifically, Indian women entrepreneurs can export gems &Jewellery, perfumes, cosmetics, agro products, beverages, textile, wooden articles, footwear and other goods duty-free to these three countries under these agreements.”

Ms. Naik also suggested aspiring exporters to learn essential steps for exports from the Export Guide Book published by Government of Maharashtra. Small scale women entrepreneurs can also register their profile on ITC’s SheTrade App, which connects more than 40,000 businesses globally, she informed.

Ms. Naik advised women entrepreneurs to embrace sustainability by producing goods in an eco-friendly way, which minimizes carbon footprint. She remarked, “We are living in this age of sustainability; If you produce low carbon, eco-friendly products, it will have more value in the global market. From October 2023, Indian exporters to EU will have to disclose how much carbon is emitted in producing their goods. Currently, this disclosure is applicable only for steel, fertilizer and aluminum products. But gradually, it may be extended to other products as well.”

During the session, Mr. Uday Dalvi, Manager-Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank shared details about the loan schemes of the bank for women entrepreneurs and women industrial cooperative societies.