Chanels Tradex, a wholly owned Ghanaian company which specializes in Trade Facilitation, Exports trade, New Market penetration, Trade Promotion, product aggregation and funding has launched a leading-edge initiative named “Women In Export  and Enterprises” (WinEE).

WinEE seeks to build the capacity of women in the export ecosystem to increase Ghana’s exports and compete favorably in the international marketplace by providing solutions to challenges, which confront women in the exports. The initiative was launched as part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.

Within the Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector, women hold a huge sway.

According to the World Bank, women own 44% of micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs) in Ghana. Ghana has the highest percentage of women owned businesses at 46.4%, ranking the number one in the world.

Speaking about the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of Chanels Tradex, Rosemary Beryl Archer indicated that exports are incredibly important to modern economies because they offer businesses more customers and markets for their goods and services as well as generate foreign exchange for the country.

“Considering the enormous contribution of women in national development, it is important for women to be encouraged to actively be involved in the export process. Creating avenues for women – owned enterprises to export their products and services will lead to more economic development and gender equality. Empowering women to participate fully in economic life is essential in order to build stronger economies, and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities”, she added.

According to her, WinEE will assist the Ghanaian female exporters to benchmark their operations and products to international standards with a focus on product quality, operational efficiency, packaging and licensing permits to ensure market access and global competitiveness of Made-In-Ghana products in the global marketplace.

With the slogan “WinEE, Ready To Trade”, WINEE is set to develop and grow giants of industry within the women entrepreneur sector and improve lives for economic growth and development. The initiative is designed to develop the technical and financial capacity of women exporters especially SMEs exporters in order to play key roles in the internationalization of Ghanaian goods and services.  

In addition, the initiative will further support women exporters and women-owned businesses into exports to easily plug into global value chains, get assistance to access funds locally and globally at concessionary rates and specialized support with product packaging and quality to meet international standards.  

WinEE is open to registered Ghanaian businesses with 50% Ghanaian shareholding  plus 60% female shareholding or 60% of its employees being women.