Hyderabad|India|October'2010: Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), a Hyderabad-based non-profit business organization with over 500 members, promoted to bring about social and economic upliftment of women force through entrepreneurship is organizing a Three-day COWE Trade Carnival here in city from 23rd October to 25th October at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad.

Addressing media at a press meet, Mrs. Uma Gurkha, President of COWE informed that the COWE Trade Carnival 2010 is being organized in association with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and National Small Industries Corporation. The fourth in the series of annual fairs being organized is the yearly Trade Carnival which is a platform for women Entrepreneurs to display and market their products to wider and large section of society. This has been a great support to small women entrepreneurs.

The Carnival has 150 stalls. 100 of them are exclusively for women. The major feature of this trade carnival is that it not only a platform to exhibit and market the products, but, also creates an environment to interact with the people who can guide and lead them to be a leading entrepreneur informed Mrs. Soudhamini, Vice President and In charge for Publicity

Other salient features of the Trade Carnival include:

01. COWE’s Opportunities Pavilion where interactive sessions about different business opportunities available in the market. In other words it will be a bank of ideas to start new business. This offers project ideas to prospective women entrepreneurs and gives an exposure to various Franchise ideas and opportunities and collaborations.

This pavilion is designed to provide entrepreneur opportunities and extend guidance under one roof through COWE senior members, ISB, APITCO, COCONUT BOARD, NABARD, APSFC, A Packaging Institute, Society for Energy, Home Science College, KVIC, Franchisee India, IT Dept., MSME, NSIC, Guidance will also be provided on various aspects of entrepreneurship that includes: Environment and Development, Science and Technology, Financial support schemes for entrepreneurs, job opportunities, industry and trade requirements, working from home opportunities, organizations for growth opportunities etc and others.

02. Loan Mela is an exclusive Pavilion for banks. SBI, SBH, SIDBI where they can interact with prospective entrepreneurs, highlighting their schemes for the benefit of micro and small enterprises.

03. Exclusive stall arrangements are made for Self Help Groups KVIC, NASARD, Hand looms, and Handy Crafts.

04. NSIC, MSME, APITCO, IT&C dept, to present ideas on projects and subsidies for women

05. Indian School of Business to bring awareness on 10000 certificates for growth of entrepreneurs

06. Dr. Hannah, Leader of Entrepreneurship from University of East of London will be available for interaction at the Fair. She will be an E -platform for women to buy and showcase the products on the net. She also works on “Growing Ventures” to link Women Entrepreneurs in India with the counterpart in the European Union. She will be the special guest at the inaugural function.

07. Conducive atmosphere with activities for relaxation, food, cultural activities, music, dance, fun, frolics and games to do business. And activities to engage children

There will be other attractions for information, education and entertainment. In conjunction with the expo a series of workshops on Vedic Maths (by Maths Gurukul), Art Workshop (by Daira) etc and other subjects as well as talk shows on enhancing social status of women through entrepreneurship etc also arranged.

There will be an entertainment and cultural programs by Kindle Care School Children(Kiran and Group), Radio Mirchi, Magic Show by Samala Venu(holder of Two Guinness Book of World Records) , Music Show--Sa re ga ma..., Fancy Dress, Ikebana. There will be lucky draws, opportunties to win prizes, surprise gifts as well.

Sri Kanna Lakshminarayana, Minister for Major Industries, Commerce & Export Promotion, Food Processing will be the Chief Guest for the inaugural function and will inaugurate the COWE Trade Carnival 2010 on 23rd October at 10am. Mr. B.P. Acharya, Principle Secretary to Govt of A.P & CIP Industries Dept; Dr. H.P. Kumar, CMD of National Small Industries Corporation Ltd; Mr. Sudhir Garg, Chief General Manager, SBH will be Guests of Honour. Dr. Hannah, Leader of Entrepreneurship from University of East London will be the Special Guest.

The broad spectrum of products to be exhibited, showcased during these three day fair include: Handy Crafts & Arty Crafts, Imitation jewelry, House hold I items, Home Furnishing, Herbal Products, Interior decorators, Silks & Handlooms, Designer Blouses, Sarees,& Kurthis, Homemade chocolates, Beauty Products, Glass paintings, and Footwear. There will be a Food Court with dishes of many varieties.

The Trade Carnival is organized with an aim to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their products, widen market opportunities, test market, have B2B interactions and provide networking opportunities.

COWE. The Trade Carnival offers benefits to both budding women entrepreneurs as well as existing women entrepreneurs. Budding women entrepreneurs and those who want to setup businesses can learn and enrich themselves with the advice and experiences of successful women entrepreneurs. The specially created stalls are offered at subsidized rates exclusively for women to display their products manufactured or traded by them or for franchises.

Following the democratic philosophy of ‘BY WOMEN, OF WOMEN, FOR WOMEN”, this all women trade body ventured out to organize its maiden trade carnival in 2007. Trade Carnival’s 2007 and 2008 were huge successes with over 200 exhibitors and over 30000 visitors.

For all women from urban, rural, national and international areas aspiring to be socially and economically self-reliant, irrespective of their academic, social and economic background and seeking guidance to grow, COWE’s Trade Carnival is the right choice.

CONFEDERATION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (COWE) is a non-profit body of successful women entrepreneurs, backed by about 500 strong members it was inaugurated by the late Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Raja Sekhara Reddy in 2004. COWE works towards promoting social and economic development of women through entrepreneurship, which is achieved by empowering women through training, skill development programs, seminars and exhibitions, infrastructure development, project identification and funding besides exposing them to other business and developmental opportunities.