Broaden your horizons | Inquirer Opinion

Many individuals, particularly girls I’ve talked to, have by no means gone to India for numerous causes. They have no idea anyone within the subcontinent and are insecure about the place to begin. For a lot of, the considered touring to India, a land wealthy in historical past, tradition, and potential enterprise alternatives, stays an summary idea.

Luckily, within the girls management house, we had the chance to satisfy Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Trade, Women Group (FICCI-FLO) seven years in the past together with different South Asian girls for an Asean enterprise convention in Manila. Earlier to that, we had been invited to the Delhi Dialogue the place our Philippine Ladies’s Financial Community (PhilWEN) trustee, Pacita Juan, was invited to talk. She and ambassador Beth Buensuceso met our former Philippine ambassador together with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Trade chief, George Barcelon, and the Philippines-India Enterprise Council chair, Johnny Chotrani.

PhilWEN officers had been additional capable of have interaction with FICCI-FLO in individual throughout two main occasions. In 2017, we had the pleasure of internet hosting the Indian delegation in Manila, the place we related over shared experiences and explored enterprise potential. In 2018, the dialogue continued in Bangkok, the place we had the chance to satisfy different influential girls leaders from the Asean area. This sequence of interactions paved the way in which for what would grow to be a strategic partnership, sharing a shared imaginative and prescient for fostering worldwide enterprise connections, particularly between India and the Philippines.

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One of the vital beneficial takeaways from these conferences was understanding the distinctive cultural dynamics of India and the ability of collaborative, women-led initiatives in creating sustainable enterprise fashions. By the point we had been planning our go to to India, we knew that the journey can be a mix of each enterprise and leisure, with an emphasis on experiencing Indian tradition in all its richness from B-to-B conferences and cultural excursions, style exhibits, and purchasing. Whereas purchasing and cultural experiences had been a part of the itinerary, the true aim was to create significant enterprise partnerships and alternatives.

So what’s there to be scared about? In case you are hosted by influential girls from FICCI-FLO, the reply is straightforward—completely nothing. These girls perceive the significance of forging sturdy, enduring connections that transcend mere transactions. The expertise is curated to be a seamless integration of enterprise, cultural change, and social enjoyment, making a harmonious but productive ambiance. Over wine, meals, and wealthy cultural exchanges, enterprise alternatives are unearthed, and lifelong friendships are fashioned—what extra are you able to ask for?

I recall in September 2024, FICCI-FLO organized a formidable sequence of industry-focused visits in Hyderabad and New Delhi that proved to be immensely beneficial and gratifying for contributors. We explored numerous industries, together with well being care/pharma, tech, and manufacturing, and see firsthand the improvements driving India’s financial progress. These experiences present extra than simply data; they provide invaluable insights into the evolving enterprise panorama in one of many world’s most populous and fast-growing economies.

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So, how are you going to, as an entrepreneur or a businesswoman within the Philippines, start to discover India? It begins by realizing that India’s potential can’t be unlocked by pondering insularly. The world is now not restricted by borders; it’s interconnected and ever-evolving. Each firm, each particular person, has the chance to be a part of a worldwide ecosystem. Whether or not it’s the web, synthetic intelligence, or different cutting-edge technological improvements, the worldwide market has grow to be a degree enjoying subject for all.

As somebody who had the privilege of partaking with girls entrepreneurs from throughout the globe, I can confidently say that India is without doubt one of the most fun locations for ladies leaders to discover new enterprise ventures. In February of this yr, we plan to fly as soon as once more to India, this time to Mumbai and Bangalore, for a sequence of enterprise conferences and visits to international firms.

In case you are increasing your horizons, India is one place to go to and one of the simplest ways is with a gaggle of ladies leaders and entrepreneurs. You possibly can be a part of any of our organizations in PhilWEN or be a visitor of considered one of our many members. We might be greater than glad to take you alongside to point out the very best leaders the nation has in enterprise and {industry}.

Within the meantime, drop us an e mail via [email protected] and inform us what you need to uncover in India and even for those who merely need to discover exports or growth in different fields like prescribed drugs, biotechnology, and even style.

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Ana Bobadilla is the secretariat of the Philippine Ladies’s Financial Community (PhilWEN) and the partnerships supervisor of the Philippine Enterprise Coalition for Ladies Empowerment. She is a girls/youth empowerment, atmosphere, and variety, fairness, and inclusion advocate.

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Ladies Who Lead is an initiative of PhilWEN.