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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider WomenBizPH and Indian Women in Enterprise forge strategic partnership to strengthen ASEAN trade and women-led business collaboration

WomenBizPH and Indian Women in Enterprise forge strategic partnership to strengthen ASEAN trade and women-led business collaboration

Published Jun 24, 2026 04:14 pm
The Women's Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH) and Indian Women in Enterprise (I-WE) formalized a Partnership Agreement at the WomenBizPH Office located at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Building, marking a significant milestone in advancing regional trade, women entrepreneurship, and cross-border business collaboration.
The Partnership Agreement was signed by Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, President of WomenBizPH, together with Sonia Mansukhani-Bhardwaj, President of Indian Women in Enterprise (I-WE), and Priya Murugesan, Chairperson of I-WE. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, expanding market access, and strengthening economic cooperation between India, the Philippines, and the broader ASEAN region.
The partnership comes as WomenBizPH prepares for two of its flagship ASEAN initiatives under the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship 2026: the 2nd ASEAN Women Economic Summit (AWES) on 10 November 2026 at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila, and the ASEAN Trade Expo from 10–12 November 2026 at the SINAG Room of Okada Manila.
Under the agreement, I-WE will serve as the lead coordinating partner for the Indian Pavilion at the ASEAN Trade Expo, bringing together Indian women-led enterprises to showcase their products, services, and innovations to delegates, buyers, and business leaders from across the ASEAN region. WomenBizPH will provide the exhibition platform and pavilion space, while I-WE will independently manage all financial and logistical arrangements with its participating exhibitors.
Indian enterprises will also take part in the ASEAN Women Economic Summit (AWES) 2026, themed “Weaving the ASEAN Future: Women Driving Innovation, Integration and Inclusion.” As the premier platform where ministers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development leaders convene, AWES seeks to align regional priorities and shape the next 20 years of ASEAN's economic growth through the lens of women's economic empowerment and inclusive development.
The collaboration between WomenBizPH and I-WE represents more than a trade partnership. It establishes a direct South-South trade mechanism connecting two of Asia's largest MSME ecosystems through women-led business networks. By facilitating direct engagement between entrepreneurs, buyers, and industry leaders, the partnership opens new pathways for trade, investment, and business expansion without relying on traditional intermediary markets.
As the Philippine Government places women's economic empowerment at the forefront of its ASEAN Chairmanship agenda, the partnership demonstrates a tangible people-to-people and business-to-business outcome that strengthens regional integration and economic cooperation. It further reinforces the role of women-led enterprises as drivers of innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth across the region.
Through the ASEAN Trade Expo, participating Indian enterprises will have the opportunity to engage directly with delegates, distributors, government representatives, investors, and business leaders from the ASEAN Member States and partner economies. The platform is expected to create meaningful business matching opportunities, facilitate export development, strengthen regional value chains, and encourage cross-border partnerships.
For the Philippines, hosting the ASEAN Trade Expo while establishing a strategic partnership with I-WE demonstrates the ASEAN Chairmanship's commitment to delivering tangible economic outcomes through women-led trade networks. The initiative will enable participating enterprises to explore new markets, connect directly with suppliers and buyers, and build relationships with delegates and decision-makers from across ASEAN.
The WomenBizPH–I-WE partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing women's entrepreneurship, expanding regional trade opportunities, and building stronger economic linkages between India, the Philippines, and ASEAN. By creating opportunities for collaboration, market access, and business growth, both organizations are contributing to a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous regional economy led by women entrepreneurs.
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