WTC Mumbai event highlights role of women-led enterprises in global trade and MSME expansion

A stakeholder event focused on women entrepreneurship and global trade integration was held at World Trade Center Mumbai. The discussion brought together government officials, industry representatives, and women entrepreneurs to address opportunities and challenges in scaling women-led businesses.

World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), organised an event titled “Empowering Women, Empowering Business – From Grassroots to Export Markets” in Mumbai. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs to discuss the integration of women-led enterprises into global trade systems.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Marketing and Protocol, Maharashtra State, said, “from MSMEs to large-scale industries, Maharashtra has made a significant contribution to the nation’s economy. Women are increasingly becoming a driving force across manufacturing, services, and agriculture, thereby promoting inclusive development.”

“Under the leadership of Hon’ Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji, the Government of Maharashtra is fully committed to strengthening women entrepreneurship. We are focused on improving market linkages, expanding digital access, enhancing financial inclusion, and building skills that enable women to scale their enterprises.” said Shri Rawal.

Shri Rawal added, “Initiatives such as Umed Malls under the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission are creating permanent, district-level retail ecosystems that provide assured, year-round market access for women Self-Help Groups. By eliminating intermediaries, these platforms empower women directly ensuring no middlemen, no barriers, only opportunity. Our vision is to build a strong enabling ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can confidently participate, compete, and lead in both domestic and global markets.”

Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said, “It is truly encouraging to see how women are becoming an integral part of India’s growth story. Today, female labour force participation has crossed 42%, nearly doubling over the past six years, while literacy among women has risen from about 53% in the early 2000s to over 75% today. With more than 20% of MSMEs now led by women, their contribution is both visible and impactful. As we move towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, women will undoubtedly be at the heart of this transformation.”

“The future of India’s economic growth is closely linked to the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The presence of over 150 women here reflects their strong commitment not only to manufacturing, but also to go global. By connecting grassroots enterprises with global opportunities, we are fostering inclusive growth while strengthening India’s position in international trade,” added Dr. Kalantri.

Shri Satya Narayan Meena, Additional CEO, Government e Marketplace (GeM), said, “GeM has brought transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity to public procurement, enabling over 2 lakh women-led enterprises to directly access government buyers and scale their businesses nationwide. With procurement exceeding ₹5.4 lakh crore last year, GeM is not just a digital platform, but a powerful engine driving growth, opportunity, and national recognition for MSMEs and women-led enterprises.”

Smt. Nidhi Choudhary (IAS), Director - National Gallery of Modern Art, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, said, “The numbers clearly reflect the growing strength of women in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over 2 crore MSMEs are owned by women, contributing nearly 21% of the sector, and more than 45% of startups today have at least one-woman director. Initiatives such as PMEGP, CMEGP, Mudra Yojana, and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform by NITI Aayog are playing a vital role in supporting this growth.”

“In Maharashtra, the State Innovation Mission’s dedicated women’s wing is also further empowering women to scale their ventures. When women-led enterprises grow, the impact goes far beyond economics; it drives meaningful social change.” added Ms. Nidhi.

Smt. Shwetali Thakare, Chairperson, Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Government of Maharashtra, said, “India represents nearly 18% of the world’s population and today stands around a $4 trillion economy. Even amid global uncertainties, India continues to be one of the fastest-growing economies. In this journey, it is essential that women have equal access to opportunities, resources, and platforms to grow because when women progress, the nation leads with purpose.”

Ms. Wang Awei, Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, said, “Technology is profoundly transforming the world, and e-commerce has opened new opportunities for women to grow and scale their businesses. With greater collaboration and shared learning, there is immense scope to further empower women entrepreneurs globally.”

Dr. Megha Phansalkar, Founder of Tisser Artisan Trust, said, “Our vision is not just to break barriers ourselves, but to enable thousands of women to rise alongside us. The real issue lies in access to markets, opportunities, and platforms. Once these barriers are overcome, it will unlock immense progress for the nation.”

Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade & Investment Promotion, WTC Mumbai, said, “Enabling women entrepreneurs to access global markets is critical for India’s growth. This requires structured support through policy, capacity building, and stronger international linkages. Empowering women-led enterprises will not only drive inclusive development but also contribute significantly to sustainable economic growth.”

Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries, said, “Women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping India’s economic progress. Strengthening their participation requires greater focus on digital platforms, financial inclusion, and skill development to help women-led enterprises scale effectively. Enhancing women’s participation is essential to accelerating the nation’s growth trajectory.”

The event also included participation from representatives of the Ahilyarani Women’s Development and Educational Organization. Discussions focused on strengthening support systems and enabling women-led enterprises to expand from local markets to global trade platforms.