An entrepreneurship conclave for the women of Assam is being organised in Guwahati on 29-30 January. The Assam Women Entrepreneurs' Conclave, that’ll bring together women from all sectors and segments of society under one roof, would address issues and challenges in entrepreneurship, scale up innovative business ideas and document profiles of women entrepreneurs of Assam. It will provide a platform for learning the best practices, knowledge sharing, promoting business and building connections.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of Industries and Commerce, Chandra Mohan Patowary, will address the women entrepreneurs on the opening of the event along with various other state dignitaries. The event would be sponsored by the Office of Assam Commissioner of Industries and Commerce and implemented by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
"Most of the women entrepreneurs from Assam are engaged in conventional sectors like handloom & handicraft, food processing and beauty & wellness. Exposure is necessary for our women entrepreneurs in other sectors as well, so that they can cross barriers and open their minds towards different business ideas," Sriparna Baruah, organiser, told G Plus.
The conclave would focus on breaking the stereotype and venturing into other sectors such as tourism & hospitality, media & entertainment, education, agri-horticulture, social entrepreneurship, Information Technology, online business, branding, packaging & printing along with logistics and transportation.
Speaking to G Plus, Sriparna expressed the need for more women entrepreneurs saying, “Women constitute about 50% of the total population and so, we as a country cannot really grow unless women start contributing to the economy.”
She also informed us that there will be a separate room dedicated to bankers. Officials from various banks that offer financial schemes for women and business will be seated there and interact with the audience. These bankers will also assist the budding and established women entrepreneurs of the region in their financial problem as finance is the most integral part of an enterprise.
With the upcoming Advantage Assam Summit and Northeast India being seen as a gateway to Southeast Asia, she believes that the entrepreneurship scenario of Assam is looking at expansion and growth.