• GITEX IndiaSoft 2007 (in collaboration with Dubai World Trade Center and IndiaSoft) - a premier exhibition that focused on Information and Communication Technology, brings large participation from international and domestic companies and individuals. GITEX 2007 was conducted during 9th to 11th January 2007 at HITEX center, NAC grounds, Hyderabad. This is a sequel to GITEX 2006.
• On the occasion of this prestigious event, Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) had conducted a seminar, “Capacity Building in IT/ITES –Challenges and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs”, under the aegis of IT&C department, parallel to sessions being conducted by NASSCOM, HYSEA, & CII.
• The Seminar was well attended by the visitors to GITEX, members of the IT fraternity and students besides prospective entrepreneurs.
  
  
• Subtopics and speaker list:
  • Soft skills/ Communication Skills for work force - Major General R.S.Chhatwal, Director General, Amity Jaipur Campus
  • Strengthening Industry/Academy partnership – Prof Ghanta Subba Rao, SCIO & EO Spl. Secretary. to C.M., AP
  • Strengthening Industry/Academy partnership – Ms Meera Shenoy, Director, EGMM, Employment Generation & Marketing Mission, World Bank consultant
  • Data Management Opportunities for enabling e-services - Mr Jeffrey W. Merriman, Senior Strategist Academic Computing Project Director, Open Knowledge Initiative, MIT, Boston, USA
  • Data Management Opportunities for enabling e-services - Mr.C.S.R.Prabhu, Deputy Director General, National Information.
    
    

STUDY TOURS 2007
Delegates from COWE visited other Countries to participate/learn from the workshops, seminars and trade fairs, with the support of ZDH-SEQUA. COWE members have made their presence felt in Australia, Germany, Italy, Srilanka, Egypt, Dubai, and United States of America. The varied profile of the delegates was appreciated. COWE members also benefited from the B2B contacts, meetings with various Chambers and officials of important government bodies of the respective countries. The wealth of information got passed on to the COWE office and it percolates down to members who want specific information.

• A four member delegation from COWE’s core group, joined the first all women entrepreneurs delegation organized by the ZDH/SEQUA Partnership Programme (an Indo-German Chambers of Commerce initiative) to Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Australia from the 28th of March 2007 to 5th April 2007.
  
  
• COWE core group went as delegates with a mission to observe the Trade Fair and met various Government bodies, Trade Chambers and Women Associations to translate knowledge into workable programmes back home, in India. They interacted with the Indian Embassy and the Mayor of Ipswich who were impressed by the profile of COWE’s delegates.

A delegation from COWE participated in the World Congress along with other participants like FKCCI, WEC, AWAKE, GCCI, and WWG. MOU with EBWA was inked by COWE during this visit. MOUs lead us towards joint programmes and mutual cooperation which enhances opportunities for members in both the organizations by facilitating, through information and contacts.



Workshop on Office Management : A 2 day workshop on office management was organized by ZDH on 13th-14th June at Bangalore which focused on sharing and learning best practices in office management. Two of COWE’s staff have been sent to benefit from this programme

FOOD EDP Programme : 18th June 07 to 13th July 2007 : Entrepreneurial development programme (EDP) in food processing with an emphasis on food processing, packaging, marketing, schemes, book keeping etc. was organized at COWE premises supported by State Bank of India. This was specially organized to have participation of members in establishing their units in upcoming COWE’s Food Park

Team Building Workshop : 14th to 15th July 2007 : The venue, Alankrita, gave the participants a retreat from their other-wise busy schedules and brought in a team spirit through the facilitator, Mr. J M Radhakrishna - the Consultant. This was a residential workshop and it was a great experience for all the members. Organised by ZDH for COWE members, this workshop reflected the talent, the inner strengths and the weaknesses of the members and paved the way to build the organization with the cumulative strengths of the members. Teams are more creative and productive when they can achieve high levels of participation, cooperation & collaboration among members.
Team Building Workshops enhance -
• Mutual Trust among members
• Sense of Group Identity
• Sense of Group Efficacy


COWE’s TRADE CARNIVAL 2007:
"COWE’s Trade Carnival 2007, the first of the Annual Trade Carnival planned, was a reverberating success. Members, Stall holders and delegates from other states and countries participated with much gusto.

• Besides providing a platform to exhibit and promote their business, the trade carnival facilitates networking, provides counseling and brings in funding agencies to support the members with their schemes. Opportunities open up and ideas are exchanged amongst members.
• The Trade Carnival 2007 was Inaugurated by Dr.J.Geeta Reddy, Hon.Minister for Sugar, Major Industries, Commerce and Export Promotion. Impressed by the fast pace growth of COWE, Dr.J.Geeta Reddy chose this platform to announce the offer of 90 acres of land for the Industrial, Food and Bi-technology Parks in Toopran, Medak Dt. through APIIC.
• The Business Consultancy Cell and the Information Cell was Inaugurated by Hon. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy during the Trade Carnival.
• The Validectory was by Hon.Minister for SSI, Shri Gollaplli Surya Rao.
• Many other senior officials and dignitaries graced the occasion and visited the stalls.
• Since there is an exclusive opportunity for women at a subsidized stall cost, over 150 stalls had been set up with the support of our sponsors and the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.
• Entertainment Programmes were organized with the support of the Department of Culture, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and drew a good number of visitors. Competitions for students were organized.