SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 8: Decent Work & Growth
Institutions: NITI Aayog | Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship | Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World launched “We Rise – Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises” under WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) framework to help Indian women-led MSMEs expand globally via trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. 100 entrepreneurs will be shortlisted for export-readiness support and international buyer access, including showcasing at Bharat Mart, Dubai (Jebel Ali Free Zone). WEP, active since 2018 and institutionalised as a PPP via ATR in 2023, aggregates services for a community of 90,000+ women entrepreneurs.
This PPP directly targets binding constraints—market access, standards compliance, logistics, and mentorship—and provides a replicable route to raise the export share of women-led MSMEs, aligning with India’s goals on enterprise growth and women’s economic participation.
What is “Award to Reward (ATR)”? → A WEP partnership model that “plugs and plays” ecosystem actors (govt, industry, mentors) to solve specific barriers for women entrepreneurs and track measurable impact.
What is Bharat Mart?→ A DP World–led international marketplace and logistics hub in Dubai designed to connect Indian firms with buyers across the Gulf, Africa, and Europe; initial phase underway, with large showrooms and warehousing planned.
What is DP World?→ DP World is a global logistics and trade company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It operates ports, terminals, and free zones in over 70 countries and provides integrated supply-chain solutions — from shipping and warehousing to digital trade platforms.
In the Indian context, DP World manages container terminals in major ports (like Nhava Sheva, Cochin, and Chennai) and has invested in Bharat Mart in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, a marketplace for Indian MSMEs to reach global buyers. In the We Rise initiative with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform, DP World’s role is to offer export facilitation, logistics support, and access to international markets for women-led enterprises.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
Which gaps—trade finance, certification/quality standards, or cross-border logistics—most constrain women-led MSMEs, and how should India scale ATR-style PPPs beyond the pilot 100?
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