Walmart starts training program for women business owners

25 women from five states to receive training initially; application forms on the Walmart India, WEConnect and Vrutti websites soon

Walmart India has partnered with WEConnect International and Vrutti to launch a training program for women business owners. The initiative is designed to help women entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of business growth through training curriculum delivered at workshops and mentoring sessions.

In the first phase, 25 women entrepreneurs from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will take part and applications for entries will be made available on the Walmart India, WEConnect and Vrutti websites soon.

"I am extremely delighted to support women-owned businesses as part of our supply chain in India. Enhancing the capacity of women entrepreneurs and providing them with the skills to scale up their business will ultimately help Walmart India continue to offer great assortment and quality local products to our customers," said Krish Iyer, President and CEO, Walmart India.

Walmart, in 2011 launched its Global Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiative through which it committed to source $20 billion from women-run-businesses for its US business and double sourcing from women owned businesses internationally.

"We are proud of the work that Walmart India is doing to economically empower women. We know that this isn't only the right thing to do, but also good for our business growth," said Jenny Grieser, senior director of Women's Economic Empowerment for Walmart.