In a major move to foster global growth opportunities for women entrepreneurs in India, NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) has partnered with global trade and logistics giant DP World to launch the ‘We Rise’ initiative. The program, aimed at empowering women-led businesses, was unveiled today under the WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative.
The ‘We Rise’ initiative is designed to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses globally through targeted trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. The Statement of Intent (SoI) was signed by Anna Roy, Mission Director of WEP, alongside Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog.
This collaborative program will identify and mentor women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India, equipping them with the tools to expand internationally. Leveraging DP World’s global logistics network and trade expertise, the initiative will focus on enhancing the export-readiness of 100 women entrepreneurs, enabling them to meet international trade requirements and strengthen their business operations.
A standout feature of the initiative is the opportunity for selected women entrepreneurs to showcase their products at Bharat Mart in Dubai — a leading global marketplace located within the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). This platform provides Indian businesses with direct access to international buyers, expanding their global footprint.
Speaking at the launch, Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, emphasized the alignment of the ‘We Rise’ initiative with the Government of India’s broader vision of fostering women-led economic growth. “This partnership with DP World will create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive, scale, and access global markets,” Subrahmanyam said. “By joining forces with a global leader like DP World, we are laying the groundwork for sustained, long-term impact.”
Anna Roy, Mission Director of WEP, noted the importance of curated interventions in realizing the vision of women-led development. “Collaborations like this are crucial to empowering women entrepreneurs. DP World’s initiative is a step forward in promoting women exporters and supporting them in overcoming challenges in international trade,” Roy stated.
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform, launched in 2018 by NITI Aayog, has already engaged over 90,000 women entrepreneurs and is working with over 47 partners from both the public and private sectors. Since its transition into a public-private partnership in 2022, WEP has become a central enabler of India’s women entrepreneurship ecosystem, addressing six key areas: access to finance, market linkages, training and skilling, mentoring, legal assistance, and business development services.
This partnership between NITI Aayog and DP World underscores the growing recognition of the vital role women entrepreneurs play in shaping India’s economic future and reflects a concerted effort to unlock opportunities for women-led businesses on a global scale.
