The Center for Women's Business Research provides data-driven knowledge that advances the economic, social and political impact of women business owners and their enterprises. This data driven knowledge provides the business imperative for embracing women business owners as customers, suppliers, community leaders, public policy influencers and role models for business leadership.

"As a marketer focused on reaching small to mid-size businesses I have personal experience with the value and credibility that the Center offers. Their research provides insight that you can act on. And being associated with their programs adds instant credibility to your company. Even putting aside all the good that they do, they are simply a great value."
Lee W. Frederiksen Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Hinge


Today, women business owners are a key market for leading national, regional and community banks because the Center is relentless in providing and promoting the most up-to-date knowledge the banks and other industries use to drive their strategies in the women's entrepreneurship market.

"It is very exciting that we have arrived at a point where women business owners are recognized and appreciated for the very important contributions they make to the U.S. economy. The fact that we have loaned more than $32 billion is a tribute to women business owners who have allowed us to be a part of their amazing success."
Joy Ott, Regional President for Wells Fargo Bank in Montana and
Women's Business Services program national spokesperson


The Center brought the same intensity to supplier diversity, providing the hard data that ensures that major corporations include women-owned businesses in their supplier diversity programs, thereby opening doors for women-owned firms to secure contracts for their products and services.
We are committed to:

* Advancing women business owners and their impact in the United States and around the world.
* Conducting research on critical issues around women's entrepreneurship.
* Providing roadmaps for women business owners to achieve their full potential.
* Showcasing best practices to public, private and non-profit leaders who support the growth of women's business ownership.



The Center for Women's Business Research is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All contributions are fully tax deductible unless a product or service is received.

BUZGate.org™ is a leading branded business-to-business resource and referral community and one of the most demographically targeted social networks on the Web serving the interests and needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As a national consortium of government, nonprofit public business assistance agencies, and underwriters of educational content, BUZGate.org provides an easy-to-use robust gateway to business mentors, information, goods and services tailored to supporting small business start-up, growth and profitability.

As a non-commercial, educationally focused community, BUZGate.org provides a reliable, trusted network where users can build knowledge and establish productive business-to-business relationships. Content focuses on educating individuals about thousands of free and low-cost public assistance programs and productivity-enhancing business solutions that exist to support their entrepreneurial progress.

BUZGate.org interactive features enable users to connect with real people in their local communities who will assist them at no charge with issues such as startup, funding, marketing, import/export, regulations, advocacy, and much more. On average, BUZGate.org is routinely connecting millions of entrepreneurs to over 33,000 business mentors, 12,500 business assistance programs, and hundreds of productivity enhancing SMB product and service solutions. Networking between entrepreneurs and government, public and private sector solution providers occurs daily as:

* All individuals access BUZGate.org for free
* All public nonprofit assistance agencies routinely add and update content at no charge
* All private sector product and service solutions are presented in a standardized, educationally-focused Edutorial format that serves to build knowledge and facilitate more informed decision making
* Collectively, these networking activities are driving local, regional and national economic recovery

In essence, BUZGate.org is a one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial community "where all users add value and all users receive value."

Content providers include national small business development icons such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business (SCORE), Women's Business Centers (WBC), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Rural Development, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, and micro-finance agencies.

Content partners and other key SMB influence leaders, such as IBM, The World Bank, Key Bank, public utilities, U.S. Senators/Congressmen and economic development agencies, promote awareness and access to BUZGate.org through links, marketing materials and promotional events in order to further promote economic recovery through entrepreneurship in their respective communities.

Regional and state-based BUZGate.org community collaborators include local law firms, accounting firms, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, conference centers, financial advisers, human resource service providers, management consultants, software/hardware suppliers, insurance agencies, web development firms, and other high value business-to-business product and service providers.

BUZGate.org is an initiative of the Knowledge Institute, specialists and social entrepreneurs in entrepreneurial development and educational services. The Knowledge Institute works with Fortune 500, government, nonprofit and small business clients to drive SMB business development and business-to-business transactions.

The term BUZGate is short for Business Utility Zone Gateway:

Buz Bullet Business because it fosters entrepreneurship to drive economic recovery and shared prosperity

Buz Bullet Utility because it adds value to the process of learning about and connecting with entrepreneurial solutions

Buz Bullet Zone because it is a centralized and collaborative entrepreneurial platform available to everyone, everywhere, 24/7 at no charge

Buz Bullet Gateway because it is a value-neutral, non-commercial, non-government, non-corporate educationally-focused resource and referral network that facilitates mutually productive relationship building

The Athena Foundation pairs woman-owned businesses with a group of local mentors who serve as a panel of advisors. Advisors work with business owners for one year, free of charge.


http://www.athenafoundation.org/

One organization working in field of women entrepreneurship ;


Preamble:
Women Entrepreneurs in India represent a dynamic group of Women who have broken away from the beaten track, where demands at home, family oppositions & cultural inhibitions, have led to lack of support, resources and opportunities; are now exploring new vistas of economic participation with an all new vigor. A great many of them have chosen the Entrepreneurs World because of a compelling urge to do something positive. They are the pace setters for women in their quest for economic independence.

The Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE) which is a National-level Organization brings the businesswomen on a common platform and ensures that their opinions, ideas and visions are collectively and effectively taken up with policy makers and various other agencies respectively for the development of Enterprise in Women.

Collectively FIWE endeavors to: Create public awareness towards women's contribution to the National Economy, Establish pressure groups advocating the cause of women, and Educate & Train young women entrepreneurs for their right initiation into business.

FIWE is working towards National and International Co-operation amongst Women Entrepreneurs with a singular motive: Together Towards a Glorious Future!


Background:
The Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE) is an outcome of the decisions taken at the International Conference of Women Entrepreneurs held in December 1993 at Hyderabad (India). The idea was that the Women’s Wing of the erstwhile National Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (NAYE) converts itself into an Autonomous National-level Women Entrepreneur’s organization whose main function would be networking and to provide a package of services to the Associations of women entrepreneurs in different parts of the country.

It was accordingly announced that NAYE Women’s Wing will henceforth be known as Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE) and will have no chapters. Associations of Women Entrepreneurs in various Districts and States will be provided to Women Entrepreneurs in India. Individual Women Entrepreneurs could also be eligible for general membership.


Brief Profile:
Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE), which is a National-level organization, founded in 1993, is today, one of India’s Premier Institution for Women thoroughly devoted towards Entrepreneurship Development, having a large membership base of 15,000 individual members/professionals and 28 member associations spread throughout the country. The objective of the organization is to foster the Economic Empowerment of Women, particularly the SME segment, by helping them to become successful entrepreneurs and become a part of the mainstream industry.

FIWE endeavors to provide: Networking platform for women, Technical know-how, Industry research & expertise, Skill development & training and brings the businesswomen on a Common Forum; and ensures that their opinions, ideas and visions are collectively and effectively taken up with policy makers and various other agencies respectively for the development of Enterprise in Women.

The organization is a formation of an umbrella group of local organizations around India with a growing member base of 15,000 including those from 28 local affiliated associations in India. Small-Scale entrepreneurs account for approximately 60 percent of FIWE combined membership, with large firms representing 15 percent and micro-enterprises the remainder. Thanks to the distribution on the territory of the target group, FIWE’s activity of assembling and representing business associations and enterprises of All economic sectors, is articulated all India.

Andhra Bank

Name of the loan: AB Vanitha Vahan

AB Vanitha Vahan Scheme is mainly for Salaried women (permanently employed / professional and self-employed having an income proof). As per the name indicates this scheme is open exclusively to women for purchasing new four wheelers / two wheelers as well as on second sale. For purchasing four wheelers, income should be more than Rs.1,00,000 /- p.a, and for purchasing two wheelers, income should be more than Rs.60,000 /- p.a . 50% of the husband's salary will be taken for computing eligibility provided he is a co-obligant. Margin amount is 10% on road price.

Quantum of Finance for a New Vehicle is 90% on road price, which includes Invoice price, Life tax, Registration charges, Insurance and accessories, if any, worth Rs.5,000 /- or 3 years gross salary whichever is lower. For Second Sale, Four wheelers (not more than three years old); 60% of garage value or 3 years gross income whichever is lower.

Repayment of this scheme for four wheelers is between minimum 12 months and maximum 72 months (EMI) and for two wheelers is between minimum 12 months and maximum 60 months (EMI). Interest rate is as applicable on the date of loan with 0.50% concession in rate of interest for prompt payment. Co-obligation of husband or father or any third party is acceptable to the bank. Hypothecation of vehicle purchased is considered as security. Documents needed are Driving License, Proof of Income ie; (Salary Slip/ IT Returns/ Assessment Order, Proforma Invoice) and valuation certificate from reputed garage for second sale. No processing charges and administrative charges is applicable.



Bank of India

Name of the loan: Star Mahila Gold Loan Scheme

Purpose of Star Mahila Gold Loan Scheme is for purchase of Gold ornaments, preferably hallmarked, from reputed Jewellers and/or Gold coins of Bank of India. This scheme mainly target the group of Resident Indian Women, working or non working, between 18 year and 60 years of age. Working women ie; Women permanently employed in Central/State Govt./PSUs/ Scheduled Banks/Teachers of Government/ Aided Institutions or include professionals like Doctors/ CAs/Chartered Engineers etc., Non Working Women : Not having income proof, Spouse/other close relative who satisfy income criteria to join as co-borrower.

Applicant should get minimum 20 marks, under banks rating exercise, to be eligible for loan under this scheme. Quantum of Advance in Demand/ Term loan is 10 times of monthly net emoluments (take home salary of self / spouse, in case of non working women) and 50% of Gross Annual Income as per latest Income Tax Return for professional women i.e Minimum Rs.50000/- Maximum Rs.2 lakhs. 20% of the cost of Jewellery or Gold may be considered as Margin. Interest which effect from 01.04.09 is 1.75% below BPLR,presently 10.25% p.a., at monthly rests. Repayment of this loan may be made in maximum of 60 EMIs. However, repayment period should not exceed the age of 65 or retirement age of the borrower, whichever is earlier. Repayment can be made through salary deduction /post dated cheques.

Net take home pay (net of EMI ) minimum 50% of the gross income of the applicant/ spouse, in the case of non-working women. Liquid securities [NSC / KVP/ Insurance Policies-surrender value] are accepted as security for Loan over Rs.50,000/-. Proforma invoice required for a loan amount of Rs.1 lakhs and over. Disbursement should be done by DD/ Pay Order favoring the seller ( with the name of the Bank and Account Number). Stamped Receipt/ Invoice for the total cost of jewellery (i.e Loan Amount plus Margin ) to be obtained. Processing Charge for loans upto Rs.50,000 is Rs.500/- and above Rs.50,000 is 1.10% of the loan amount. Minimum Rs.500/-is charged as stamp charge for documents at actual, and loan agreement copy charges are also applicable.



Canara Bank

Name of the loan : Can Mahila

This was a loan to meet the financial needs of women such as any personal financial needs, such as to buy house hold articles, gold, jewellery, computers etc. But this scheme was discontinued with effect from 01.01.2009. For the existing customer interest rate may be 14.50%.

Central Bank of India

Name of the loan : Cent Kalyani

This is a scheme launched to benefit women entrepreneurs and women professionals. This scheme offer financial assistance for economic pursuits in Industry, Agricultural and Allied Activities, Business or Profession. The Bank with a network of branches spread throughout the country welcomes women entrepreneurs to avail financial assistance for pursuing vocations of their choice.

Credit facilities are available for Women Entrepreneurs for the following:

*

Small Business : For entrepreneurs who intend to provide service (not a professional service) such as setting up a small lunch/canteen, mobile restaurant, circulating library etc.
*

Professional and Self Employed : Entrepreneurs who are specially qualified/skilled and experienced like Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Engineers or trained in Art or Craft etc.
*

Retail Trade : For entrepreneurs who intend to engage in retail trading of various commodities.
*

Village and Cottage/Tiny Industries : For entrepreneurs who are engaged in manufacturing, processing, preservation and services such as Handloom, Weaving Handicraft, Food-Processing, Garment making etc. in village and small towns with a population not exceeding 50,000 utilizing locally available resources/skills.
*

Small Scale Industries : To start a unit engaged in manufacture, processing or preservation of goods.
*

Agriculture & Allied Activities : For women entrepreneurs who are engaged/intend to engage in agricultural and allied activities, such as raising of crops, floriculture, fisheries, bee-keeping, nursery, sericulture etc. and also trading in agricultural inputs.
* Government Sponsored Programmes : Apart from the above schemes, women entrepreneurs are also financed under the various Government Sponsored Programmes where Capital subsidies are available.



Karur Vysya Bank

Name of the loan: KVB Mahila Swarna Loan

Karur Vysya Bank has introduced or offers installment loan to working women within the age of 18-50 yrs, permanently employed in Central/State Govt. offices, Public Sector undertakings, reputed Public & Pvt. Ltd companies, Teachers, Lecturers, Professors and employees of schools Colleges and Universities and other reputed institutions for purchase of gold / diamond ornaments / silver wares.

Minimum loan amount is Rs.10,000/- and maximum is Rs.1 Lakh with 15% as margin. Interest rate with effect from 10th May 2009 is 14.00% p.a. Repayment of the loan may be settled with in 36 equated monthly installments. DPN/ Personal may be considered as primary security. Collateral security up to Rs.25,000/- is nil and above Rs.25,000/- shall be collaterally secured to the full extent; beyond Rs.25,000/- by way of NSCs/LIC policies (surrender value)/IVP/KVP or Term deposit of Karur Vysya Bank or the gold ornaments to be purchased.

Guarantee may be given by the husband of the borrower. In case husband is not there, guarantee from father or any other earning member of the family or third party guarantee should be obtained. In case of fully secured loans, the guarantee may be waived.

UCO Bank

Name of the loan : Nari Sakthi

This scheme is to provide financial assistance to salaried women. Concession is offered on interest and the repayment can be made in 5years in equated monthly installments. This is a modified version of UCO Cash scheme. Applicant should be either a permanent employee or should have completed 3 years of service. Minimum take-home pay should be 40% of gross salary after all deductions including EMI against this loan. Regular income other than Salary Income may also be reckoned for considering the eligible amount. Quantum of loan is 90% of the proposed expenditure or Rs.2 Lakhs whichever is lower. Additional loan amount may be allowed within the quantum ceiling to the existing borrower for the purpose the earlier loan was sanctioned. Loan will be on clean basis with two guarantors including that of Spouse/Nominee of PF/Gratuity. One guarantor other than spouse may be waived if additional liquid security is provided up to 40% of the loan amount. The rate of Interest is 12.50% p.a. The loan amount with interest is repayable in 60 equated monthly installments but one year before retirement. Service Charge 1% (Min. Rs.500/-) is also applicable.



United Bank Of India

Name of the loan: United Nari Samman Yojana

United Bank of India brings a special loan scheme to cater to all personal financial needs of women who is either a salaried person or a self-employed/ professional. This Scheme is mainly for buying gold ornaments, diamonds, precious stones, purchase of consumer durables/ household goods etc. And also to meet the expenses of wedding, domestic trip and other personal expenses.

Women eligible for the scheme should be 18 years and above, maintain a Savings/ Current Deposit/ Term Deposit A/c with the Bank and fulfill the following criteria: Any working woman (service holder/ professional & self-employed person) with a minimum take home salary of Rs.5,000/- OR a house wife jointly with her husband/working son or daughter within the eligible limit of income.

Quantum of loan given is minimum Rs.0.10 lakhs and Maximum Rs.0.50 lakhs (may be extended upto Rs.1.00 Lakhs in deserving cases), subject to the condition that the total deductions shall not exceed 60% of borrower-customer’s gross salary. 5% of the cost of article to be purchased as a margin. Primary security is Hypothecation of the Article(s) to be purchased with the Loan. And collateral security i) For salaried - In case of an individual whose salary is disbursed through the branch no additional security is required. ii) Professional & Self-employed- the loan should be additionally secured by 30 to 50% of the loan amount by way of assignment of LIC Policy (SV)/ Bank’s own T.D./ N.S.C./ K.V.P., RBI Relief Bond etc. or personal guarantee of at least one person acceptable to the bank.

Rate of Interest with effect from 09.04.2007 is 14.00% p.a. i.e. BPLR + 0.75% at present. Concession of 0.25% for a group of borrowers (minimum 10) from single organization shall be allowed provided the employer undertakes to deduct EMI from salary and remit the same to the financing branch or the accounts are maintained under United Salary Payment Scheme. Interest rate revised with effect from 01.04.2009 is BPLR + 0.75% i.e. 13.00% p. a. Loan amount may be repaid with in maximum period of 36 months by equated monthly installments, the loan shall be liquidated within the age of 60 years. 0.5% of the loan amount may be considered as a processing fee.



Vijaya Bank

Name of the loan: Assistance to Rural Women in Non-Farm Development (ARWIND)

The scheme of Assistance to Rural Women in Non-Farm Development (ARWIND) is being introduced mainly to support their economic activities in Non-Farm sector on a cluster or group basis by rural women. This scheme has two components- Credit Components, Promotional Components.

Under Credit component, a voluntary agency having minimum 3 years of proven track record in assisting women’s groups, women’s development corporation set up by the Central or State governments, KVIC/KVIBs or any institutions under the KVIC/KVIB fold, any other registered institution including cooperatives, trusts and corporations set up by Central or State governments for the purpose may evolve a scheme to organize rural women’s groups for undertaking any productive activity in the non-farm sector and assist them in setting up their own units and /or provide such other backward or forward linkages including training as are considered necessary for improving viability of individual or group enterprises.

The loan assistance under this scheme to the individuals, would not normally exceed Rs.50000/- per borrower or say Rs.10 lakhs for a group activity involving 20 rural women. As per Reserve Bank of India guidelines, for loans upto Rs.25000/- per borrower, no margin money or collateral security or third party guarantee will be insisted upon by the financing banks except hypothecation of assets created out of the loans. The rate of interest chargeable to the beneficiaries or banks will be those as may be specially by the Reserve Bank of India / NABARD from time to time. Repayable may be subject to the cash flow of the scheme, the loan repayment period will be between 3 to 10 years with a moratorium of 6 to 12 months.

Name of the loan: Assistance For Marketing Of Non Farm Products Of Rural Women (MAHIMA)

Assistance For Marketing Of Non Farm Products Of Rural Women (MAHIMA) scheme envisages providing loan and also assistance in grant to the Registered Voluntary Agencies (VA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other promotional organisations engaged in marketing the products of rural women.

Voluntary Agencies (VA), Non-Governmental Organisations and other promotional organisations including co-operatives, federations of marketing organisations engaged in the business of marketing of women’s products are eligible to be covered under the scheme. The organisations should have been working for at least 3 years with proven track record and experience in production or marketing of rural products and should satisfy the norms of the financing banks and NABARD prescribed from time to time.

NABARD will provide 100% refinance for the bank loans and maximum refinance is restricted to Rs.10 lakh only. The quantum of assistance by way of promotional grant would normally be restricted to Rs.5000/- per women entrepreneur to be covered by the agency concerned or up to 25% of the minimum sales turnover of Rs.10 lakh envisaged to be achieved within 3 years, whichever is lower. In other words would mean that the promotional grant assistance would normally be limited to Rs.2.50 lakhs per agency, in case the agency is able to cover a minimum of 50 women individually or in groups, with a turnover of Rs.10 lakhs in order to make it operationally viable, at least, over a period of 3 years.

Women in India are faced many problems to get ahead their life in business. A few problems cane be detailed as;

1. The greatest deterrent to women entrepreneurs is that they are women. A kind of patriarchal – male dominant social order is the building block to them in their way towards business success. Male members think it a big risk financing the ventures run by women.

2. The financial institutions are skeptical about the entrepreneurial abilities of women. The bankers consider women loonies as higher risk than men loonies. The bankers put unrealistic and unreasonable securities to get loan to women entrepreneurs. According to a report by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), "despite evidence that women's loan repayment rates are higher than men's, women still face more difficulties in obtaining credit," often due to discriminatory attitudes of banks and informal lending groups (UNIDO, 1995b).

3. Entrepreneurs usually require financial assistance of some kind to launch their ventures - be it a formal bank loan or money from a savings account. Women in developing nations have little access to funds, due to the fact that they are concentrated in poor rural communities with few opportunities to borrow money (Starcher, 1996; UNIDO, 1995a). The women entrepreneurs are suffering from inadequate financial resources and working capital. The women entrepreneurs lack access to external funds due to their inability to provide tangible security. Very few women have the tangible property in hand.

4. Women's family obligations also bar them from becoming successful entrepreneurs in both developed and developing nations. "Having primary responsibility for children, home and older dependent family members, few women can devote all their time and energies to their business" (Starcher, 1996, p. Cool.The financial institutions discourage women entrepreneurs on the belief that they can at any time leave their business and become housewives again. The result is that they are forced to rely on their own savings, and loan from relatives and family friends.

5. Indian women give more emphasis to family ties and relationships. Married women have to make a fine balance between business and home. More over the business success is depends on the support the family members extended to women in the business process and management. The interest of the family members is a determinant factor in the realization of women folk business aspirations.

6. Another argument is that women entrepreneurs have low-level management skills. They have to depend on office staffs and intermediaries, to get things done, especially, the marketing and sales side of business. Here there is more probability for business fallacies like the intermediaries take major part of the surplus or profit. Marketing means mobility and confidence in dealing with the external world, both of which women have been discouraged from developing by social conditioning. Even when they are otherwise in control of an enterprise, they often depend on males of the family in this area.

7. The male - female competition is another factor, which develop hurdles to women entrepreneurs in the business management process. Despite the fact that women entrepreneurs are good in keeping their service prompt and delivery in time, due to lack of organisational skills compared to male entrepreneurs women have to face constraints from competition. The confidence to travel across day and night and even different regions and states are less found in women compared to male entrepreneurs. This shows the low level freedom of expression and freedom of mobility of the women entrepreneurs.

8. Knowledge of alternative source of raw materials availability and high negotiation skills are the basic requirement to run a business. Getting the raw materials from different souse with discount prices is the factor that determines the profit margin. Lack of knowledge of availability of the raw materials and low-level negotiation and bargaining skills are the factors, which affect women entrepreneur's business adventures.

9. Knowledge of latest technological changes, know how, and education level of the person are significant factor that affect business. The literacy rate of women in India is found at low level compared to male population. Many women in developing nations lack the education needed to spur successful entrepreneurship. They are ignorant of new technologies or unskilled in their use, and often unable to do research and gain the necessary training (UNIDO, 1995b, p.1). Although great advances are being made in technology, many women's illiteracy, strucutural difficulties, and lack of access to technical training prevent the technology from being beneficial or even available to females ("Women Entrepreneurs in Poorest Countries," 2001). According to The Economist, this lack of knowledge and the continuing treatment of women as second-class citizens keeps them in a pervasive cycle of poverty ("The Female Poverty Trap," 2001). The studies indicates that uneducated women donot have the knowledge of measurement and basic accounting.

10. Low-level risk taking attitude is another factor affecting women folk decision to get into business. Low-level education provides low-level self-confidence and self-reliance to the women folk to engage in business, which is continuous risk taking and strategic cession making profession. Investing money, maintaining the operations and ploughing back money for surplus generation requires high risk taking attitude, courage and confidence. Though the risk tolerance ability of the women folk in day-to-day life is high compared to male members, while in business it is found opposite to that.

11. Achievement motivation of the women folk found less compared to male members. The low level of education and confidence leads to low level achievement and advancement motivation among women folk to engage in business operations and running a business concern.

12. Finally high production cost of some business operations adversely affects the development of women entrepreneurs. The installation of new machineries during expansion of the productive capacity and like similar factors dissuades the women entrepreneurs from venturing into new areas.

As found on their site, and introduction to this organization goes as follows :

Cwei- Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India is a registered civil society, a voluntary organization that works for the economic empowerment of women in the country and world over.

Cwei acts as a springboard for Entrepreneurship, facilitates technology transfer, improves access to natural resources, product and design development, explore marketing linkages within and outside the country through various Haats, Buyer Seller Meets, Exhibitions and Fairs in India and abroad.

This is an important step towards enhancing their entrepreneurial skills, integrating their force into economic power and transforming them into new generation entrepreneurs.

Cwei acts as a catalyst providing all escort services leading to higher productivity, competitive prices and stringent quality control for export.

Cwei: As e-Governance

Representation in the various Govt. policy- makes bodies for promotion of export from India. Facilitates dissemination of timely information on policies and programs, implementation and monitoring govt. schemes and programs for sustainable growth of Enterprises.

Cwei: As e- Women

Today we are living in the age of Internet, which represent a significant amount of opportunities and frontiers in the field of commerce. A paradigm shift in the industry has created significant opportunities for significant shift in revenue, through the emergence of new market leaders.

Cwei helps in achieving E-commerce or Electronic Commerce by its global information transformation system and with its web portal. E-commerce refers to the trying and selling of products and services online. Cwei having the power of using digital information to understand the needs and preferences of consumers and partners, institutions, voluntary organisation and self enterprises and to thereby customizes products and services to suit the requirement of the consumers through E-commerce buying and selling of products and services can be done quickly, through the internet.

Cwei: Mission Statement …….. !

To motivate the New Generation & Women to opt for Entrepreneurship as a challenging career - the only answer to unemployment.

Cwei: “Mantra” …….. !

Integrated Marketing linked with Product Development & Designing.

Cwei: As Nodal Agency

- A technical and professional organization

- Consists of NGOs, Self Help groups, Institutions & Entrepreneurs

- Also promotes Voluntarism & Social Entrepreneurship

Recognized as the NODAL AGENCY by Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India to
organize various Economic Activities in the country. Declared as Women
Empowerment Year 2001.

Cwei Objectives:

• Acts as a spring board for Enterprise Development.
• Committed to work for the economic empowerment of women & their families, youth, artisans underprivileged, tribal and backward sections of the society through income generating activities with an integrated approach
• Acts as a catalyst to :
- improve access to natural resources
- provide technological support in product & design development with
all escort services, such as packaging and quality control
- link up with credit facilities
- Ultimately explore Marketing linkages very crucial for sustainable development.

• Facilitates dissemination of information to the target groups thereby implementing and monitoring Govt. schemes and programs to raise their living standards.

• Representation in the policy making body in Ministry of SSI, Govt. of India

Clusters Targeted by Cwei

• Marginalised, displaced women and unemployed youth
• War widows & families of Defence services
• Self Help groups
• Artisans, Craftsperson, Weavers, & Producer groups from all over India and the developing world.
• Victims of natural calamities in India
• Tribal Communities in the North Eastern region of India
• Existing and Potential Women Entrepreneurs & Enterprises.
• Schools, Colleges, ITIs, Vocational & Professional Institutes.
• Developing countries in South Asia
• Post Conflict Countries like Afghanistan

“SHASHWAT” - The Rural System of cwei

Launched in 2001, Year of Women Empowerment in India with a view to act as :

• The Common Facility Centre for the adoption & Assimilation of appropriate technologies
• Incubator for hands on training for income generation and self-employment with the cluster approach.
• The Common Brand name for promoting cottage & SSE products.
• “Shashwat” bazaars - Model trade fairs for backward & forward linkages.
• The Theme Pavilion to showcase products exclusively at India International Trade Fair (IITF), Pragati Maidan New Delhi coinciding with our Annual Event - International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference (IWEM&C).

Cwei- Annual Event (IWEM&C):

International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference (IWEM & C) was declared as one of the Cwei’s annual events to highlight issues pertaining to marketing finance, training, product design and development and a host of other critical problems in order to bring the issues to the notice of policy makers, implementing agencies and women entrepreneurs themselves.

From 1996 to 2004 each year delegates and participants from SAARC, the Asia Pacific Region, the Far East, Egypt, Africa, Malaysia, and Mauritius besides Syria, Belarus & Afghanistan come together on a common platform to deliberate on issues concerning the economic development of women of these regions.

In 2004 International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference’04 – Project taken on Increasing Export of Identified Products by Women Entrepreneurs of India to Selected Countries. Over 100 buyers from – Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, & National participants from Gujarat, UP, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur & Mizoram & Delhi attended the one to one Buyer Seller Meet.

International delegates showed interest on wide range of products ranging from Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetic, Petro Chemicals, Textiles, Vegetable Dyes, Hardware, Machinery, Technologies, Packaging Machinery, Home Furnishings, Sanitary ware, Dairy Products, Herbals, Jewelry & Leather & Food Products and all consumer goods.

Cwei also launched online Web Portal which has multiple features interactive product displays, shopping cart and check out during our IWEM&C’04 on Nov’04. The easiest means of conducting business communications, management, etc through electronic media i.e. buying, selling marketing, accounting and other services. The most difficult part of this is financial transactions, which used to be a bottleneck for imports-export but now it becomes very easy.

INTERVENTION OF Cwei IN NORTH EAST

2003: Cwei organized North East Women Entrepreneurs Meet’03 at Judges Field,
Guwahati, Assam, initiated by Govt. of India and opening the gateway for all the NE states. Initiative of this kind was held for the first time in the region for barter trade among the North Eastern region. EPCH was invited along with designers to organize the buyer seller meet.

“SHASHWAT” the rural wing of cwei is executing the action plan for the above meet & five districts were identified in Assam – Guwahati, Sualkuchi, Shiv Sagar, Rangia & Titabar wherein clusters are being developed with a view to design specific modules for entrepreneurship development to enhance the latent potential and talent of artisans in Metal craft (Brass & Bell), Jewellery, Handloom – Weaving, dyeing & printing.

Workshop & Training Program on Advocacy & Capacity Building – Ex- Director IIE & Executive Director RGVN, Banking & Financing – SBI & NABARD, Innovation Technologies for women in North East- KVIC, Design & Dying workshop & hands on Training- Weaver Service Centre.

During our intervention in NE Region we have come in close contact of more than 6000 SHG’s, Artisans & grass root women.

Sualkuchi

Cwei Organized skill development workshop at Sualkuchi on Weaving conducted with Designer & Experts from weaver service centre, CAD Designing & Block Printing using vegetables dyes.

Rangia

Cwei organized Training cum Demonstration Programme at Rangia on Fruit & Vegetable processing with Experts from Ministry of Food Processing, Horticulture, Floriculture, Herbs & Medicinal Plants with Experts from Bosco RICH. We also organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Jewellery Introduce New and innovate technologies in traditional field in the year 2003 in the district of Assam.

Hajo

In Hajo Cwei organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Bell Metal & Brass Metal

2004 - In our continuous endeavor to meet the recommendations Cwei organized
“SHASHWAT”- Design cum Skill Development Workshop on June’04 at Sualkuchi, Assam on Dyeing, Designing & printing – an exclusive training program with specific design modules was introduced on Vegetable dyes. Modern techniques of designing & weaving were introduced through CAD & CAM.

New Alliances was formed between producers, entrepreneurs, and buyers including establishment of effective linkages for up-gradation of skills, technical know how and innovations in designing of products.

SAWE:
South Asian Women Entrepreneurs Forum

The International Wing of Cwei
Formed in 1998 with the support of UN Agencies and CYP Asia Alliance Building & Networking

SAWE - International Achievements

• Experience of Alliance Building started with effective establishments of focal points in SAARC and Asia Pacific Region for marketing linkages
• Grown in strength with new member countries joining each year.

1998: Govt. of Mauritius invited cwei to set up the focal point in the country - opening the gateway to Africa.

This year Cwei also organized International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference’98 from 1-6th Nov’98, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Focus – Alliance Building: Grass root Women Entrepreneurs, artisans & Youth of South Asia

1999: Active participation of entrepreneurs and coordinators from 20 developing countries including Africa

2000: MOU signed with MAICCI, Malaysia & opportunity to market in the ASEAN region

2001: Network reached out to Arab World with Egypt & Syria joining us.

2002: MOU signed with Belarusian Union of Women, Republic of Belarus, East Europe

2003: Mission Afghanistan: Set up Afghan Women’s Business Council (AWBC), an ongoing program on Enterprise Development & Marketing in the post conflict country.

Afghanistan Follow up in India

¨ 26 entrepreneurs recommended by Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of Afghanistan, participated in the technical hands on training in India in Nov.2003. AWBC formally joined SAWE Training organized on Leather, Garments, Food, Herbals (Shenaz), Jewellery (NIFT).

¨ Exchange of entrepreneurs for enhancing skills, design and product development & open new market opportunities between the two countries

2005 - A Follow up of Buyer Seller Meet was organized in Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan in
Jan’05 & MOU was signed between Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, headed
by Hon’ble Dy. Prime Minister Ms. Svetlana T. Inamova, Govt. of Uzbekistan and Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India for promoting women’s entrepreneurship.

2005 - In February’05 Cwei associates itself with over 1000 women & their families
affected by the recent calamity struck by Tsunami in Sri-Lanka and Southern
India. Our approach will be to set up Micro-Enterprises through Training &
Technological Intervention & also provide marketing linkage for long term sustain.

An Extensive Training Programmes in Different Province of India Under ‘SHASHWAT’ Swa Rojgar Jagrukta Abhiyan

Delhi

In Delhi Cwei officials has covered around 500 families throughout the area of Nazafgarh including Pappankalan, Palam Gaon, Pohchanpur, Hamrahi, Bagdula, Matiala Gaon, Shiyog Vihar, Rajpur, Madhu Vihar, Kirnagarh, Kakrola, Bharat Vihar, Mansaram park, Nabada, Nanha Park, Buddha Garden and so many other unidentified villages and organized Training cum Demonstration Programme on Fashion Designing with NIFT, Upgrading Traditionally Skills with Ministry of HRD, Processing of De- Hydrated vegetable with College of Applied Science, & Service Sectors with Shenaz Hussian.

Upgrading traditional skills to reduce drudgery & improve quality an increase productivity to compete in the open market economic.

Shahbad, Delhi.

Cwei conducted NIFT outreach Program for self-employment of women. The grass root women at Shahbad for setting up of production centre for generating income with the cluster approach were given technical training on Soft toy making, Pottery, Ceramic, Metal works, Glass painting, Embroidery, Tailoring, Flower making, Screen Printing, Concrete tile making.

Kusumpur Pahari, Delhi.

In Nov’2002 Cwei organized a workshop & Training Programme on “People Education Program” of KVIC on Credit and Financing for the Women in Urban slums at Kusumpur Pahari.
Women Entrepreneurs from Labor Commission interacted with the women at Kusumpur Pahari and talked about handicraft & handloom products produced by them.

Talkatora Stadium, Delhi

Grass root women & artisans participated in a training program & displayed their product at Talkatora Stadium on the auspicious occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March ‘2002.

Dilli Haat

From 21st to 30th April’ 2001, Cwei organized exhibition of Handicraft Products at Mahila Shilp Mela with artisans & entrepreneurs from Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, U.P. Seminar cum design workshop on Group Entrepreneurship was organized by JD Institute of Fashion Technology followed by a Cultural evening “OORJA- THE STREE SHAKTI”.

Other States of India

Women & girls in U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan and other states of India who have been rehabilitated here and are backward, illiterate and unemployed. Taking in view of their plight, Cwei has conducted an Awareness Generation Camp where we have encouraged them to take initiative in identifying their skills and adopting them for self employment and thus to be independent by Training Program on Fashion Designing with NIFT & Upgrading Traditionally Skills with NRDC.

Training Program at RR Centre

We organized workshop and training programme at RR Centre for the wives of Jawans and Kargil victims in 1999. These Training Programmes on Fruit Processing & Preservatives with Ministry of HRD, Leaf cup making & Upgrading Traditional Skills with NRDC, Vermin Composting & Chalk making with CFTRI.

Training programme for Youth & women

Cwei organized Training Programme on Export Management for Youth & Women with Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in April’99.

Gujarat

Cwei organized “Shashwat” Gramin Shilp Mela at Samalkhan Barthal Road from 25th March to 4th April 2000 more than 70 artisans from different states of India & Women
delegation from Gujarat had participated & exhibited their products and Demonstrate their Technologies and design development during this event.

Hyderabad

On 8th March 2001 on celebration of “International Women’s Day” Cwei organized Mass Awareness Camp at southern regional office at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh in Association with NISIET.
Innovation Technologies & Training programme for self –help, DWACRA groups in the Ranga Reddy’s District in Hyderabad.

Haryana

More than 600 SHG’s beneficiaries from Haryana participated in our Achievement Motivation Camp Coinciding with our Design Development Training Programme & ‘Shashwat’ Buyer Seller Meet at IITF, Pragati Maidan in the year 2001.

Noida (U.P.)

In September’ 2002 Cwei organized Training Programme at NVTI- National Vocational Training Institute at Noida. Innovate Technologies from CSIR were demonstrated on this occasion.

Intervention of Cwei in NE Region

Workshop & Training Programme on Advocacy & Capacity Building – Ex- Director IIE & Executive Director RGVN, Banking & Financing – SBI & NABARD, Innovation Technologies for women in North East- KVIC, Design & Dying workshop & hands on Training- Weaver Service Centre.

During our intervention in NE Region we have come in close contact of more than 6000 SHG’s, Artisans & grass root women.

Sualkuchi

Cwei Organized skill development workshop at Sualkuchi on Weaving conducted with Designer & Experts from weaver service centre, CAD Designing & Block Printing using vegetables dyes.

Rangia

Cwei organized Training cum Demonstration Programme at Rangia on Fruit & Vegetable processing with Experts from Ministry of Food Processing, Horticulture, Floriculture, Herbs & Medicinal Plants with Experts from Bosco RICH. We also organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Jewellery Introduce New and innovate technologies in traditional field in the year 2003 in the district of Assam.

Hajo

In Hajo Cwei organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Bell Metal & Brass Metal

Cwei Innovation for market linkages to meet the Challenges of Globalization

¨ Adjust to New Market Environment
¨ Identify new Opportunities
¨ Innovations in product Design, Packaging and strategies to minimize cost
¨ Establish Brand Identity for NE Products - SHASHWAT
¨ Marketing Consortia approach - The SHASHWAT Module
¨ To facilitate Export Marketing
• Upgrading technology, improving production skills,
• Developing sophisticated and innovative products
• Provides access to information on new products, prices and Technologies.
• Promotes linkages both national and international.
• Organize Buyer - Seller Meet and Trade shows at regional, national and international
level on ongoing basis.

Virtual networking - Cwei has initiated an interactive WEB PORTAL, develop data bank, plan global forecast & organize virtual exhibition to promote products.

Marketing Strategy of Cwei

i) Strengthen backward linkages to the micro enterprises sector dominated by
Women

ii) Forward linkages to small and medium enterprises particularly those owned by
Women

iii) Introduce and implement a policy of encouraging women owned firms.

iv) Virtual exhibitions of products to establish export linkages.

v) Special attention to agricultural exports. Emphasis on aggressive marketing,
advertising, and promotion are crucial to attain substantial market share. A
systematic approach- A product, market conditions, analysis of what others are
offering, adjustment of the product, fair participation, right approach to buyers is
crucial. This approach is kept in mind while organizing the IWE&C and Buyer
Seller meet during IITF.


Cwei established National & International Marketing Networking:

A) In the country East North region, Southern Region.

B) Expand the focal points of SAWE- International wing of Cwei in different countries to establish marketing channels.


Virtual offices for SAWE with designated contact points are Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal & Sri Lanka, Belarus and Afghanistan.

Cwei Partner in Progress

• Govt. of India
• Department of Women & Child Development
• Ministry of SSI,
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
• Ministry of External Affairs,
• Development Commissioner (H), Ministry of Textiles,
• Ministry of Food Processing,
• Department of Tourism
• Govt. Associates - NCW, KVIC, NSIC, SISI, NISIET, NIESBUD, CSIR, NRDC
• UN Agency - UNIFEM, UNIDO, APCTT
• CYP ASIA
• Banking Institutions - NABARD, SIDBI, SBI, RMK
• Design Institutes - NIFT, JD INSTITUTE, NID.

To know more about this organization, visit their website www.cwei.org