Traders, Meta launch 'Vyaapar Sakhi'

In a bid to accelerate women’s entrepreneurship through digital adoption, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), in collaboration with Meta, launched a national mission titled ‘Vyaapar Sakhi’ on Tuesday. The initiative is aimed at empowering women traders —particularly from small towns and rural areas — by equipping them with tools and training to grow their businesses digitally.

The launch event, held at the NDMC Convention Centre in the Capital, saw the participation of over 100 women trade leaders from across Delhi. These participants shared experiences from their entrepreneurial journeys and discussed the challenges and opportunities in navigating a digital marketplace.

Chandni Chowk MP and CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal, who presided over the launch, said the programme was a step in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for women-led development. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Vyaapar Sakhi initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide for women entrepreneurs, particularly in small towns and rural India,” Khandelwal said.

He added that the initiative would not only provide hands-on training in using social media tools to scale businesses but also connect women producers with buyers across India through a matchmaking mechanism, helping them access new markets and improve product visibility.

Shivnath Thukral, vice-president and head of public policy at Meta India, said, “Vyaapar Sakhi is a significant milestone in realising Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to Nari Shakti and women-led development. This collaboration between CAIT and Meta highlights the power of public-private partnerships to unlock grassroots innovation and empower women entrepreneurs in a digital-first India.”

Key features of the initiative include digital training in seven Indian languages, region-specific workshops on setting up online storefronts, skill-building sessions in major cities, and a strong focus on financial independence and inclusive economic growth.