The SheTrades Business Seminar and Trade Show brought together inspiring women entrepreneurs on Saturday to celebrate International Women’s Day with a powerful showcase of talent and innovation.
SheTrades is an initiative that aims to connect, empower, and uplift women entrepreneurs by addressing the barriers they face in accessing economic opportunities. It includes women-owned Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in business markets, ultimately advocating for policies that promote gender-inclusive trade environments.
Themed ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ Saturday’s SheTrades Business Seminar and Trade Show brought together women in business to showcase their products, network, and continue accelerating progress and action.
Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon highlighted the significant contribution of women in the trade and industry sector, emphasising their impact in driving innovation, diversification, and economic growth.
“We will continue to encourage women empowerment so that they are provided with the appropriate resources and opportunities, including funding, information, leadership training, and mentorship. We are proud, and we celebrate the work that you, the women of the SheTrades Hub, are doing in the various sectors towards building your businesses, including engaging with the relevant stakeholders in the private and public sectors and improving your products and services as guided.”
As a businesswoman and the General Manager of Caribbean Bottlers, Camille Chatoor encouraged women to keep advancing the narrative of women in business, building on the efforts already championed by SheTrades.
“Which is shifting from mere participation to empowerment and leadership. We need to help women to reach their full potential as women entrepreneurs and commit to supporting each other as a network, avoiding isolation. Our success as entrepreneurs demands a collaborative and systemic approach fostered by many stakeholders and the nurturing of an environment where women-led businesses can flourish unhindered.”
Minister Gopee-Scoon encouraged persons to continue demonstrating leadership in various spaces as they champion the rights of women.
“Take the leap to create and build your distinctive products and services, strengthen your networks, and work together, because collaboration is key. It is important to invest in yourself and elevate and expand your knowledge, optimising the use of information and communication technology, including artificial intelligence. Let us become or continue to be champions for women’s rights.”