The “Women & e-Commerce (WE)” initiative, a prominent Bangladeshi platform for women entrepreneurs, organized a Trade Mission to the UK in early 2025 to foster international connections and promote Bangladeshi products, following successful past events like WE Summits and collaborations with UK bodies like the UKBCCI. This delegation, led by Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs, aimed to expand trade, share experiences, and leverage e-commerce for economic empowerment, mirroring global efforts to bridge gender gaps in digital commerce, notes IFC.
Key Aspects of the WE UK Delegation:
Objective: To build global networks, promote local Bangladeshi products, and explore export opportunities through e-commerce.
Activities: The delegation held meetings and engaged with UK-based organizations, as highlighted by the UKBCCI.
Context: This builds on WE’s large community (over 2 million members) in Bangladesh, which fosters entrepreneurship and skill-building for women in the digital space.
Broader Significance:
Economic Empowerment: E-commerce offers significant potential for women’s economic growth, despite challenges, as seen in studies by the IFC.
Global Trends: There’s a growing focus on empowering women in e-commerce globally, with initiatives by groups like the W20 UK Delegation emphasizing digital opportunities.
In essence, the WE UK Delegation was a strategic move by Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to expand their reach and impact on the global e-commerce stage, supported by their strong local network.
