Women entrepreneurs urged to leverage GST benefits at PITEX

Encouraging women entrepreneurs to take full advantage of simplified GST norms and government support, women members of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) pushed for more partnership and market share for women-led businesses at the opening day seminar of the 19th Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX 2025).

At the panel discussion, “Vision to Venture: Inspiring Women Founders”, women speakers, including business heads and trade body members, motivated more than 150 delegates with practical strategies for scaling businesses and empowering other women.

Bharti Sood, Senior Regional Director, PHDCCI, and Karan Gilhotra, Chair, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI, chaired the session. Poonam Thakur, HPRS, Assistant Commissioner, State Taxes and Excise, Himachal Pradesh, urged women to leverage simplified GST processes and compliance reforms.

“The government is committed to supporting new women entrepreneurs by reducing compliance burdens and improving ease of doing business. Build your enterprise on strong principles and uphold ethical conviction,” she said.

Harpreet Kaur, health & wellness entrepreneur, Amway India, encouraged young women to take leadership roles and prioritise personal well-being alongside professional ambitions.

Calling for the integration of traditional wisdom into modern business life, Vibha Bawa, convener, steering committee on ayurveda, PHDCCI, advised women entrepreneurs to embrace simple ayurvedic practices for greater resilience and mental clarity.

“In a sector largely dominated by men, fostering internal wellness and supportive team cultures is essential,” noted Sukhpreet Kaur Bajwa, CEO, Gravity Events.

Shuchi Singh, co-convener, media, sports and entertainment committee, PHDCCI, urged the media to build a positive and empowering narrative around women in business.

Bharti Sood said that these real-life experiences would encourage women entrepreneurs to step ahead and take risks to lead the way for future entrepreneurship landscape of the country.