Guwahati: The Four day interstate meet of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the women business wing of of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FICCI) concluded in Shillong, Meghalaya with a commitment to spearhead a transformative journey through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, creating opportunities for women of the North East to thrive in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. empower women entrepreneurs.
About 350 Business women and entrepreneurs from various parts of the country took part in a Four-day Interstate meet titled ‘Mystical NorthEast’ under the leadership of the 41st National President, Joyshree Das Verma. The first Two days of the Interstate meet were held in Guwahati, Assam followed by the next two-days in Shillong, Meghalaya. FLO interstate meet is an annual feature organized by the different chapters of the organization in various parts of the country and is being hosted by FLO’s North- East Chapter in Guwahati and Shillong for the first time. FLO has 20 chapters across India with about 13,000 business women as members .
“The main aim of holding the FLO Interstate meet in the North-East was to encourage women from the region and their economic empowerment. In today’s globalized and competitive world, women constitute a major workforce in any industry. In the North-East, women have traditionally played a major role in bringing about social and economic changes. Efforts are being made to bring women entrepreneurs to the mainstream. Be it weaving or crafting, a commodity market or a production unit, women in the Northeast have always proved their mettle as entrepreneurs.” Said Ms Joyshree Das Verma, National President, FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) .
“The Interstate meet was held in the North East with an aim to showcase the beauty, diversity, and promise of the eight states of Northeast India—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim. With an array of intellectually stimulating conversations, succinct discussions and the most fascinatingly arranged series of social events with traditional North East cuisines, the Interstate Meet was not only a wonderful networking opportunity for pan-India members but also a platform for an exciting confluence of exchanging best practices from all corners of the nation .” said Ms Verma.
“Visiting women delegates experienced the region’s arts, crafts, music, and economic growth. It gave a moment for the Northeast to shine, not only as a cultural hub but also as a region poised for further economic development and integration into India’s future. This year’s Annual Interstate Meet, aptly themed “Mystical Northeast,” was an invitation to delve into the soul of this enchanting region, celebrating its heritage, artistry, and the resilience of its people.” Said Ms Shweta Jindal, Chairperson, FLO North East Chapter.
Major highlights of the Four day meet included a Study Release by FLO on North East Women’s Participation in Trade, Connectivity, and Regional Value Chains, shining a light on opportunities for growth and development in the region.Interactions with Assam’s Who’s Who – Engaging with artists, leaders, visionaries, and changemakers from the vibrant state of Assam. Felicitations– Honoring the Founding Team of the FLO NE Chapter and the inspiring FLO Past Presidents for their invaluable contributions.
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Partnering with Yes Bank for the “Yes Powher Up” initiative to empower women entrepreneurs from the North East and drive economic growth. This Interstate Meet celebrated the ethos of FLO and also showcased the potential of Northeast India as a hub of innovation, creativity, and collaboration.
FICCI LADIES ORGANISATION (FLO) is the oldest and one of the most prestigious pan India forums working towards the goal of women empowerment. With over 41 years of experience, FLO has been promoting entrepreneurship and professional excellence in women through various workshops, seminars, conferences, talks, training and capacity building programmes .