SheTrades Hubs expand to India and Sri Lanka

The ITC SheTrades Initiative opened new hubs this month in India and Sri Lanka, the latest expansion in a global network of now 21 resource centres that support women entrepreneurs. 

The Hubs will provide women entrepreneurs with the skills, market access, and policy support required to successfully navigate international trade dynamics, fostering greater participation in global trade. 

'Every Hub that opens becomes part of a network that is far more than the sum of its parts—one that has already delivered skills trainings to 4,500 women entrepreneurs and counting, and has made possible millions of dollars’ worth of new sales and business leads,’ said ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

'In other words, it’s a movement that is going to keep gaining momentum, year after year, Hub after Hub. Helping bring closer within reach rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls, everywhere.'

While speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp, said: “The launch of the SheTrades India Hub marks a new milestone in ITC’s longstanding partnership with India—a new dimension of the India-UN partnership to amplify these important streams.”

The SheTrades Hub in Colombo is in partnership with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). In New Delhi, the hub is hosted by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

Last year India’s exports totaled $810 billion, and Sri Lanka’s $16.17 billion. But women-led businesses face challenges in accessing international markets, finance, and business development resources. The hubs will bridge this gap by providing training, coaching, market connections and policy support to women entrepreneurs across the country.

SheTrades Hubs span the globe, with locations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa.

SheTrades Hubs are leveraged to track national progress through the SheTrades Outlook tool to advance inclusive policy reform.

The SheTrades Outlook tool identifies gender gaps and best practices in the global trade landscape. By providing data-driven insights, practical tools, and technical assistance, SheTrades Outlook helps governments shape trade policies that ensure women have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

About the programme

The ITC SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme is funded by the UK Government and launched in April 2018, the ITC SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme aims to foster an enabling gender-inclusive business ecosystem by promoting inclusive policy and data and engaging business support organizations, private-sector partners, and women-led businesses in the Commonwealth+ countries.