Kohima: Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) will host the fifth iteration of its WENN Bazaar from October 15 to 17 at Agri Expo, Chümoukedima. This year, the event adopts the theme One Nagaland, One Marketplace—Women Entrepreneurs from Every District. It marks the first time the bazaar includes participants from all 17 districts of the state.
WENN chairwoman Temsusenla Kichu explained the growth trajectory of the event. It started as a single-day pilot at Sky Garden in 2022. By 2023, the event moved to CT Square with 53 participants and Rs. 18 lakh in sales. Participation surged in 2024 to 75 stalls and 7,000 visitors, bringing in Rs. 36 lakh. Last year, 111 women-led enterprises hosted over 10,000 visitors and generated Rs. 70 lakh in sales while supporting 405 jobs.
The move to Agri Expo provides space for more vendors. Dedicated stalls will highlight handicrafts, textiles, food, beverages, wellness items, and artisanal goods. Kichu said, "The bazaar has evolved into a platform that not only facilitates sales but also promotes learning, networking and business development."
The three-day schedule includes workshops on branding, digital marketing, financial management, and business governance. Organizers added the Empower Her programme and structured Business-to-Business meets. Attendance is expected to exceed 12,000 people. Launched in April 2022 through GIZ’s Project Her&Now, with support from Dhriiti and IDAN, WENN has expanded to a network of 3,000 members. Organizers now aim to make the bazaar a state-recognized annual event.
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