The Prime Minister’s wife, Kobita Jugnauth, participated in the Women in Trade Forum as a guest of honour during the week. The forum held in Dorchester, London, brought together several women entrepreneurs, representing Commonwealth countries.
Addressing the many participants present, Kobita made it clear that she is very happy that the SheTrade Hub with the International Trade Centre has reached an advanced stage.
“This project will expand women entrepreneurs’ access to international markets and increase the participation of their businesses“, said the Guest of Honour
“After the signing of the letter of intent, a memorandum of understanding will be signed in the coming months. It will provide a framework for cooperation between the International Trade Centre and the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius,“, she added.
Regarding the strengthening of links in the market, the wife of the Prime Minister suggested that this project will allow women entrepreneurs to have greater access to international markets.
“We can collaborate in three areas, namely: the diversification of our markets, the development of entrepreneurship and digital technology” is the proposal she has put forward in the framework of this new partnership with the International Trade Center.
Kobita Jugnauth also pointed out that women were the most economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The global recession has hit harder in the so-called ‘Shecession’. Job losses have pushed more and more women to turn to entrepreneurship. And that’s where ‘SheTrades’ comes in.”
The UK being the second largest and one of the most important destinations in Mauritius with 10.1% of exports on the market with an average annual investment of around £30 million, the guest of honor of this forum hoped that with the collaboration of ‘SheTrades’, “we will be able to increase our exports and trade with the United Kingdom and the global network of partners of ‘SheTrades’.”
Businesses and individual buyers can use the ‘SheTrades’ platform to include more women entrepreneurs in their supply chains by sourcing specific products and services from women-owned businesses.
Unfortunately, Mauritius has a market too small to be a sustainable source of livelihood for many women entrepreneurs. However, this platform could be a game changer and bring them a lifeline in several ways.
