Dimapur: The fifth edition of the Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) Bazaar opened at the Agri Expo site in Chumoukedima district on Thursday, bringing together 167 women entrepreneurs from all 17 districts of Nagaland to showcase their products.
Held over three days under the theme “One Nagaland, One Marketplace”, the bazaar aims to support women-led businesses through networking, mentorship, capacity-building and advocacy.
Advisor to the Agriculture Department Mhathung Yanthan inaugurated the event, which features a range of products, including food and beverages, processed food, handicrafts, handlooms, retail goods and items produced by self-help groups.
The bazaar has grown from 20 participants at its inaugural edition in 2022 to 167 entrepreneurs this year.
Addressing the gathering, Yanthan highlighted the role of collaboration and the exchange of experiences in strengthening women-led businesses. He said supporting women entrepreneurs could benefit families and communities while contributing to Nagaland’s socio-economic development.
Yanthan also stressed the need to add value to local products and connect them with national and international markets, saying this could improve returns for entrepreneurs.
He called for maintaining product quality, consistency and market standards. He also emphasised coordinated support in areas such as technology, training, processing facilities, packaging, marketing and access to wider market networks.
Yanthan said the challenge for Nagaland was to translate its talent, resources and opportunities into entrepreneurship, employment and economic growth.