On November 15-17, the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) hosted its ninth annual Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, in collaboration with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. IWEC was established in Barcelona in 2007, an initiative of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Manhattan and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization (FICCI/FLO), and at its founding, it was supported by the U.S. Department of State. The founding chapters originated the IWEC Award to honor women-owned businesses throughout the world and to facilitate connections between women entrepreneurs.
Celebrating the conference in Turkey is a major milestone for the organization, as it marks a significant geographical expansion and welcomes first-time awardees from Georgia and Pakistan. The rest of the 27 women entrepreneurs that were honored with the award came from the United Kingdom, Peru, Spain, Serbia, South Africa, the United States, Turkey, Australia, Pakistan and India. To put the impact of IWEC’s constituency into perspective, since the inception of the awards, the combined annual revenue of IWEC awardees has grown to US$25 billion, with over 125,000 employees worldwide. These companies represent many industries, including computer software, fashion, manufacturing, electronics, agricultural business, health services, skin care, real estate, research technology, shipping and freight forwarding, export of mineral products, and education.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Connecting Women Businesses Globally: Driving Growth Through Women’s Economic Participation”, a topic underscored by the participation of delegations of women entrepreneurs from Pakistan and Afghanistan, through a strategic alliance between the Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IWEC. Ruth A. Davis, IWEC Chairwoman and former U.S. Ambassador inaugurated the conference, ushering the participants into an intensive 2 days of panels and discussions on, among other topics, empowering new generations of women entrepreneurs, local and global trade and business opportunities in emerging markets (especially Turkey), leadership, community engagement and advocacy for women-owned businesses worldwide. Other significant presenters and attendees included Ilhan Soylu, member of the Executive Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Istanbul, and the Director of the Trade Chamber of Barcelona, Xavier Carbonell, His Excellency Mr. Vasip Sahin, Governor of Istanbul, Nancy Ploeger, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Secretary General of IWEC, Omer Bal, Secretary General of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Tazeen Hasan, Senior Private Sector Development Specialist for Women, Commerce and Law at World Bank Group, Joan Rosas Xicota, Head of International Financial Institutions at Caixa Bank and Virginia Littlejohn, CEO of Quantum Leaps.
IWEC is supported by global trade, business and legislative bodies that drive women’s entrepreneurship, among them Caixa Bank and the IESE business school, which awards scholarships to two of the awardees, per year. Other vital partners and affiliate organizations include the Cape Chamber of Commerce in South Africa, WEConnect International, the Women Presidents’ Organization, the Taiwan Women’s Business Network, and UnitedSuccess.
IWEC encourages awardees to identify with and be engaged in corporate social responsibility programs, which can range from local community support, education, healthcare issues, entrepreneur development and mentorship. Part of IWEC’s mission is to help shape current and future generations of women business leaders who are prepared to face the challenges of a rapidly shifting economic and commercial arena.
You can see photos and additional information about IWEC at: www.iwecawards.com
Media Enquiries: np@Manhattancc.org and 1+212-473-7875.