The three day trade carnival of Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs kicked off

Dr. J. Geeta Reddy inaugurates the meet and announces the allotment of 90 acres of land to COWE to set up industrial zones or parks for women

10% of plots in all Industrial Parks in the state will be reserved for Women Entrepreneurs: J. Geeta Reddy

Hyderabad, October 26... Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), a city based a nonprofit business Organization's maiden trade exhibition "COWE's Trade Carnival 2007" kicked off today here at People's Plaza, Necklace Road. The three day all women business fair for women by women was inaugurated today morning by Dr. J. Geeta Reddy, Minister of Major Industries, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking immediately after inaugurating it, Dr. Geeta Reddy announced the allocation of 90 acres of land in three different areas put together in Medak District exclusively for COWE to set up exclusive industrial estates for women. One piece of 30 acres land is allocated in Automobile Park in Toopran Mandal, another 30 acres piece of land in Biotechnology Park in Karakapatla Village in Mulugu Mandal and 30 acres in Kucharam Village in Toopran mandal. This land is allocated at a subsidized prices. She handed over a letter from APIIC to that effect to Mrs. Soudhamini Rao, Secretary of COWE. Speaking further she added that hence forth 10 per cent of land in all the 172 industrial parks located all over the state will be reserved for business women. It is upto them to utilize this opportunity. She urged them to create awareness among business women to make use of this initiative of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Mrs. Reddy lauded the efforts of COWE in encouraging entrepreneurial skills in women. Today women are on par with the men and if given opportunities, they can even surpass them, she added.

Women constitute 50 per cent of the population and 17% of the total work force in the country. Unlike in the past, today women are coming forward to be way ahead of their older generation and have earned a rightful and respectful place for themselves in their families, she stated. After the inauguration Mrs. Reddy went around the 180 stalls and inquisitively enquired the products being displayed there.

Earlier welcoming the gathering Mrs. Suman Kumar, President of COWE stated that not even being 3 years old, COWE has crossed a number of milestones. COWE was established in November 2004 and was inaugurated by Dr. Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy. COWE lobbies with the government and the financial institutions for collective support to develope clusters of women entrepreneurship. It is actively involved in procuring land through government support to set up exclusive industrial estates for women in Food Processing, Biotech Park and other nonpolluting industries.

She thanked Dr. Geetha Reddy for the landmark announcement of reserving 10% of land for women in Special Economic Zones(SEZs) and industrial estates. This is the first initiative of this kind in the country and we are grateful to the State Government. So, women willing to take up entrepreneurship, a red carpet awaits you. Do enrol yourself with COWE at the help desk and you will witness the wonders unfold before you. The opportunities are immense and god sent. But, god helps only those who help themselves. Bring viable ideas and see how it transforms into dreams that come true, stated Mrs. Suman Kumar. Adding further she urged the Minister for Major industries to be considerate about the price of the land allocated to them.

COWE's trade carnival is an initiative of COWE to provide a platform at affordable cost to all women entrepreneurs irrespective of caste, creed and religion. In this trade fair, an Entrepreneurial Opportunities Pavilion is set up by successful women entrepreneurs to provide consultancy and guidance to budding business women, she informed.

Adding further she stated that COWE's commitment for rural ventures is evident from the participation of weavers of Nalgonda, Dharmavaram, Gadwal, Kanchipuram and Hubli. Furthermore, the entrepreneurs promoted by Khadi Village Industries Commission and Tribal Commission also find their presence here, informed Mrs. Kumar.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Amitabha Guha, Managing Director of SBH stated that their bank and COWE are working together for the empowerment of the women. We are committed to encourage women entrepreneurship. To promote entrepreneurship among women we have two schemes viz Stree Shakti Scheme and Mahila udyami Nidhi. Both offering special benefits which include o.5% rebate on interest, margin reduction by 5 per cent and longer payment scheduled to suit to women entrepreneurs. SBH has so far financed three lakh women disbursing about 1100 crore rupees, he informed. We have also helped 1, 67, 000 self-help groups financing to the tune of Rs 705 crores, informed Mr. Guha.

Several Commerce and Trade Bodies representatives from Kolkata, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Karnataka, Ceylone Chamber of Commerce, Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore joined to extend support to the event. They travelled to city to be with COWE members on this occasion. The three members representation of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is lead by Ayoni Waniganayake, Senior Assistant Secretary-General and other members include Lilakshini de Mel, Senior Assistant Secretary General and Nimalka Morahela, Coordinator from Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

COWE's Trade Carnival is being organized with the support from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The first in the series of annual fairs being organized by Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs is also supported by ZDH/Sequa partnership program of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. Several other organizations like SBI, SBH, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, SIDBI, Margardarsi Chits Ltd, Shriram Chits and Andhra Papers are supporting the trade fair.

Some of the exhibitors include Margadarshi Chits Ltd, KVIC, Ennela Welfare Association, Jhansi Lakshmi(well known TV star), Style File, Apoorva Art & Crafts, OOty Dry Fruits, HDFC Financial Services/Entrepreneurship, SBH, Ideas, Sushma Vedam, Purple Boutique, Saransh the Story of Beauty, Kalaap, Enlighten Candles & Ware. A thread paintings stall set up by Dwakra Group members of Balapur village organized by Ennela Welfare Association and Ideas offering Designer Candles, Fridge Magnets, Show Pieces, Key holders and another stall set up by TV actress Jhansi displaying her designer blouses attracted the attention of the visitors.

About 180 exhibitors have exhibited products such as Fashionware, Handicrafts, Jewelry, and Household goods, Toy Makers, Candle Makers all manufactured by women entrepreneurs. The meet is also participated by women entrepreneurs who are in service providing professional services such as Career Counselling, Medical Transcription, Home and House Keeping, Fashion Designers, Wedding Service Providers, Portrait Painters, Food Processors, Travel and Insurance Agents, etc have also participated in the meet.

The Trade Fair offers lot of benefits to women entrepreneurs as it offers an opportunity to widen market opportunities, to reach more customers, to create awareness and interest in their products. The specially created Stalls are offered at subsidized rates exclusively for women to display their products manufactured or traded by them or for franchises said Mr. Soudhamini, Secretary of COWE.

The three day event will be packed full of cultural and entertainment activities like Anthakashari and Tambola for Senior Citizens, Ikebana Flower Arrangement Competition, Painting, Fancy Dress Competitions etc. The Cultural programs will be organized by Depertment of Culture, Govt of Andhra Pradesh. There will be a magic program by Viswa Vinuthna, jangling Circus by Kalavathi Muthu, Mime by Sri Kaladhar and Flute Concert by Jayaprada Rammurthy.

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy, Chief Minister who was supposed to visited today to inaugurate the meet is expected to visit tomorrow to inaugurate an exclusive the Entrepreneurship Pavillion set by women entrepreneurs for the guidance of budding women entrepreneurs.

Ms. Pratima Dhond, President GCCI Women's Wing from Goa, Ms. Sudha Prakash, President of AWAKE, Mr. A. Karthikeayan, Project Manager, ZDH/SEQUA, Ms. Ayoni Waniganayake, Ceylone Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ashok Pandey, GM, SBI; Mr. Amitabha Guha, MD, SBH and others participated and in the inaugural function.

The meet will be concluded Sunday evening. It is open from 10am to 9pm. Entry fee is nominal at rupees twenty.

For more details, please contact COWE on Tel: 040-65535794 OR e-mail: cowe04@gmail.com or visit website www.co-we.com

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