IWEC Women’s Business Mela 2022 to launch in Bhubaneswar on May 4

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 29, 2022

The International Women’s Entrepreneurship Council will hold what it describes as “India’s first women’s business mela,” in Bhubaneswar from May 4 to 8 to promote businesses in areas including fashion and beauty. 

The five-day event will take place at the city’s Janta Maidan, the organisers announced at a recent press conference. The mela is jointly organised with the Indian Chamber of Commerce and is supported by the state government. 
 
Around 120 stalls will feature at the mela, each representing a woman-run business, the ICC announced on Facebook. Around 30 stalls will be dedicated to women entrepreneurs which are members of self-help groups or tribal communities.  

“The IWEC Women’s Mela is one of the biggest exclusive women’s entrepreneurship event in India organised by the ICC,” said the ICC’s chairman for Odisha, JB Pany, Express News reported. “The event will be highly informative and engaging.”
 
The event will also include business conferences, seminars, workshops, investor pitch sessions, micro, small, and medium enterprise scheme knowledge sessions, a financial literacy drive, and  networking opportunities. An awards ceremony will celebrate women’s achievements in business and a fashion show will provide entertainment along with a food festival and other cultural events. 
 
“The business Mela is our way of bringing women entrepreneurs together, showcasing our capability and celebrating the success of our women,” said the IWEC’s national co-chairperson and Odisha convenor, Sukirti Patnaik.