FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO) and Griffith Business School have joined hands to enhance business opportunities for Indian women entrepreneurs.

Going Global- An innovative two-phase project brings together Queensland (Australian state) innovators and Indian women entrepreneurs to enhance networking and business opportunities. It begins with Masterclasses conducted in New Delhi and Bengaluru in September 2019, with the main goal to enhance cross-cultural employability capabilities and a global entrepreneurial mindset among the entrepreneurs. Following the first phase of the Masterclasses, 10 Indian women Innovators will be invited to experience Queensland?s entrepreneurial and business environment in November for a week-long bootcamp.

The prestigious Queensland Government's International Education and Training Partnership Fund managed by Study Queensland, within Trade and Investment Queensland was awarded to a project involving a unique partnership between the gen[in] consortium, Central Queensland University, FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO) and Griffith Business School academics Dr Dhara Shah and Professor Michelle Barker.

Ms Harjinder Kaur Talwar, President, FICCI FLO said, "When I took over as President of FLO in April, this year, I focused on creating international linkages, enhancing & deepening business engagements, largely for women through various programs. Partnering with Griffith University seemed very organic to the objective I am pursuing."

Talwar further said, "Women, as key agents to achieve the economic, environmental and social changes required for gender equality, will be fundamental to this partnership between both nations."

The program is focused and tailor-made, and I am sure we will have some successful partnerships between the women of the two countries. FLO has in the past created entrepreneurship programs with renowned institutions like ISB, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad for the members. As an entrepreneur myself, I am looking forward to be a part of this program, added Talwar. 

The objective of the project is to enhance cross-cultural employability capabilities and a global entrepreneurial mindset of both Queensland (urban and regional) entrepreneurs and Indian women entrepreneurs.

Gitesh Agarwal, Queensland?s Trade and Investment Commissioner (India) said, "India is Queensland's 3rd largest partner, which led to the release of Queensland?s India Strategy last year by Hon Minister Kate Jones. Education is a key focus, and we are aiming to deepen our ties with India, through Masterclasses like these, which aim to add value, and build advocacy of the ties."

Dhara Shah, Lecturer and Deputy Director Engagement, Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith Business School said, "The lessons from the program will help to develop a 'playbook' and market intelligence that assists Queensland businesses on how to enter the Indian market."

Shah further said, " This project provides us the chance to elevate the profile of urban and regional Queensland in India, while aligning closely with the Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy 2018-2023."

Michelle Barker, Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith Business School said, "While several agencies and higher-education institutions have well-developed entrepreneurship courses, what was identified as missing was individually tailored and context-specific masterclasses and programs that suit the needs of women entrepreneurs to work effectively in culturally, linguistically and socially different environments to overcome personal and professional challenges."

The project addresses the needs of women entrepreneurs in India and Queensland to develop their employability and careers through capacity-building in innovative, global entrepreneurship.