11 March 2026: On the occasion of International Women's Day, the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata hosted ‘SheExports: Women Entrepreneurs Connect’ on Monday, bringing together women entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policy stakeholders from across Eastern India and beyond for a focused dialogue on enabling women-led enterprises to access global markets. The programme was organised in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and supported by MSME Catalyst.
Addressing the session, Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East & North East India, remarked, “We must continue working until we achieve our goal. A law on paper means little if women are still afraid to speak up. In much of the world women continue to earn less than men for the same work. Even in the UK the gender pay gap remains an issue the UK Government are working hard to address. He remembered Raja Ram Mohan Roy and how he fought against injustice towards women, a legacy reminds us that the struggle for equality must continue. A woman in her fifties is not a liability; she is an asset.”
Ms Bonani Roychoudhury, Adviser, MSME Catalyst and former Managing Director, Nabsamruddhi (an NBFC subsidiary of NABARD), highlighted the need for stronger financial support and institutional handholding to help women-led enterprises scale and access global markets. “India is an aspirational country. To move forward, it must progress on equal wheels. Women-led enterprises are doing commendable work, but financial support remains limited and several barriers persist. However, the recent UK–India trade agreement has eliminated customs duties and made the export process more seamless. We must now focus on making women-led MSMEs export-ready. The State already offers a conducive environment, and what is needed is sustained handholding through grant support, CSR initiatives and certification support,” she said.
“This is a unique initiative. I believe that all genders must be treated fairly and equitably, as studies also show that such an approach enhances job satisfaction and strengthens commitment to work. Research also indicates that gender equality has a positive impact on businesses. Gender diversity brings unique perspectives to organisations, and increasing diversity can lead to improved economic outcomes and higher revenue,” noted Mr Rupak Barua, Chairman, CII West Bengal State Council and Managing Director & CEO, Woodlands Hospital.
Mr Prithish Chowdhary, Vice Chairman, CII West Bengal State Council and Deputy Managing Director, Titagarh Rail Systems, emphasised, “The benefits of an equal world go far beyond inclusion. In our own factory in Uttarpara, around 30% of the engineers are women, and this trend will continue to grow. Women’s participation is imperative for India to achieve its goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047. Creating an inclusive workplace is essential for attracting and retaining talent.”
Ms Smita Chatterji, Chairperson, CII–IWN Kolkata Chapter and Founder & CEO, Centreax Group, said that genuine empowerment must begin with equity and achieving this requires a shift in societal mindset, where women are regarded and treated as equal partners. She also encouraged women to step out of anonymity and actively claim their rightful space in leadership and decision making.
The programme also featured two panel discussions on ‘Building Export-Ready Women Enterprises’ and ‘Access to Capital for Women-Led MSMEs’, focusing on strengthening women entrepreneurship and improving access to finance.
*Kolkata*
*9 March 2026*
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