The FICCI Ladies’ Organization (FLO) is all set to host the 12th Annual Awards and Conference of International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation, IWEC-2019, on November 11-12, 2019, in New Delhi. The IWEC Awards and Conference present a global platform for exchange of knowledge, experience and connectivity among women business owners worldwide. Started in 2007, it is an initiative of FLO, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, New York, and the US Department of State.
The IWEC was established with the goal of connecting small and mid-size women business owners globally — those who are already in the global marketplace and want to expand or are ready to get into the market and learn from other women leaders. Also, an important aspect of the IWEC awardees is their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in mentoring, board participation, community outreach, sustainability and so on.
Every year, the IWEC gathers some of the world’s largest and most successful women-owned companies in an intensive two-day programme to inform, connect and celebrate the works of women entrepreneurs across industries. There have been 337 IWEC awardees globally till date. Conferences have been held in Barcelona, New York, New Delhi, Cape Town, Lima, Stockholm, Istanbul, Brussels and Seattle — and last year in Shanghai.
‘Proud moment’
‘Being one of the founder-members of the prestigious IWEC Awards, I’m thrilled to be hosting the IWEC Awards this year as the National President of FLO. It’ll be my privilege to give the global delegates a taste of India’s culture, heritage and hospitality’
— Harjinder Kaur Talwar, FLO President and Co-Chair, IWEC Conference
‘India the most-favoured business destination’
“As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, the Indian market is now open to accepting new business ideas more than ever before,” adds Harjinder. “This is the time to showcase that India is now the most-favoured business destination today, with robust growth, rising foreign exchange reserves and booming capital markets, among others. The IWEC Awards and Conference will be the most apt platform for this.
“It’s an honour that the IWEC Awards and Conference in India will be chaired by HRH Princess Noor Bint Asem of Jordan. Princess Noor is a regional consultant with the Inspirational Development Group, the global leadership and management consultancy. Beyond her royal duties, Princess Noor is an executive and certified trainer with the Coaching Training Institute, focusing her programmes on empowering youths and self-development,” Harjinder further remarks.
Bouquet of events
The conference, with the theme, Connecting Women Businesses Globally: Leading the Way to Innovation and Integration, envisions bringing together 250 businesswomen from across 20 countries, cohesively driving the agenda for scripting economic change for women globally.
FLO has been able to bring together inspirational global leaders and an array of interesting business sessions, panel discussions, gala dinners and socials for its delegates during these two days.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will speak to global participants on how to promote, grow and expand their businesses while managing their stress and emotional quotient.
Nitin Gadkari, minister for road transport, highways and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), will grace the IWEC conference as Chief Guest and be a part of the commemorative ceremony in the 550th birth anniversary year of Guru Nanak. Gadkari will also give the delegates an overview of India’s MSME sector and showcase the myriad business opportunities India has on offer.
There will be an informative presentation on business opportunities and foreign direct investment and various panel discussions on Global Economic Outlook: What It Means to Your Business, Innovation & Integration and Work 4 Progress.
39 women to be felicitated
The conference will be followed by the prestigious Awards Ceremony, where 39 women entrepreneurs will be felicitated for outstanding performance. They include Sangita Reddy, Senior Vice-President, FICCI, and Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; Kalli Purie, Vice-Chairperson of India Today Group; and Kiran Chopra, Director, Punjab Kesari Publishers Pvt. Ltd from India, besides 36 from 18 other countries.
This prestigious forum will culminate in the IWEC gala dinner to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the awardees.
