“Women in Trade for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth (WITISG)” is a 5-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada & ITFC (Islamic Trade Finance Corporation). The project aims to contribute to inclusive growth in the economy by increasing the percentage of women in international trade as exporters and by increasing the share of exports generated by women-led Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). As the local coordinator for the WITISG project, LightCastle Partners assisted Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada and the SME Foundation (SMEF) in empowering Jute Diversified Products (JDP) enterprises for export readiness. LightCastle Partners is the local coordinator & implementer for TFO Canada in Bangladesh for the project. LightCastle’s role encompassed gathering applications from SMEs, screening and selection, assistance with skill development and documentation, and providing wide-ranging consultative support. As a consequence of LightCastle’s intervention, 14 Bangladeshi SMEs from the Jute Diversified Product (JDP) sector traveled to New York, USA, to participate in the New York Now 2023 (NYN 23’) Fair. This gave them the opportunity to showcase their product portfolio to key buyers in the US market, ranging from mega-retailers to boutique gift shops. If you are interested to learn more, the infographics below will provide more in-depth information about the WITISG project and the impact of the intervention made by LightCastle.

1. Empowering Jute
Diversified Products (JDP)
Enterprises for
Export Readiness

2. Project Summary
2 / 8
Objective
“Women in Trade for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth (WITISG)” is a 5-year project funded by
Global Affairs Canada & ITFC (Islamic Trade Finance Corporation). The project aims to contribute
to inclusive growth in the economy by increasing the percentage of women in international trade
as exporters and by increasing the share of exports generated by women-led Small and
Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). As the local coordinator for the WITISG project, LightCastle
Partners assisted Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada and the SME Foundation (SMEF) in
completing the Export Readiness for Jute Diversified Sector SMEs. LightCastle Partners is the
local coordinator & implementer for TFO Canada in Bangladesh for the project.
Implemented By
Supported By
The project will contribute to the ultimate outcome (1000) of Improved economic well-being of
women and men in Bangladesh, by achieving intermediate outcomes 1100 {Strengthened
representation and participation of women in decision-making in Trade Support Institutions
(TSIs)} and 1200 (Increased access to Canadian and other international markets for women-led
and men-led SMEs).

3. Call for Applications for Selection & Training
3 / 8
Jute SMEs from all over Bangladesh applied to be a part of this project and take the opportunity to
showcase their products in NYN 23’. We received over 200 applications to participate in this project- all
the applicants were screened and marked against a universal marking matrix. The top 30 were selected
for participating in the Training & Consultation Program to get them prepared for the NYN 23’ Fair.
NYN 23'-The New York Gift + Home Show is the largest home and gift wholesale tradeshow. Rich with
diverse products for discerning retailers, museum stores, and specialty buyers. Where artisans meet
designers, celebrate creativity, and tell their stories.
Training Process:
Major Criteria for Selection
Social Media
Presence
Interested
in export
Produce JDP
Female-led
organization
preferable
Women
empowering
organization
Legal
documentation
Previous export
experience
Ethnic/ Minority
worker-based
organization

4. Snapshot of the Training
4 / 8
Initial Application 60
Male
15 Female
19
Male
07 Female
07
Number of Training Batch: 02 | Sector: Jute Diversified Products
Selected Applicants for NYN 14
Selected Applicants 34

5. How the Project Supported the SMEs
5 / 8
Opportunity for SMEs
Get three days of training on export readiness
Expert consultation
Technical support
Understanding international trade and global business
Foreign market exposure
Linkage with foreign buyers
Participate in the New York Trade fair
LightCastle's Role
Participants' screening and selection
Outreach and call for application
Local coordinator of TFO Canada
Consultation support
Participants' documentation assist and support
Participants’ skills development

6. Achievement
6 / 8
14 SMEs participated in the New York Now 2023 (NYN 23’) Fair from
05-08 February in New York, USA. The JDP manufacturing SMEs
showcased their product portfolio to the prospective buyers in the US
Market ranging from mega retailers to boutique gift shops.

7. Top 14 SMEs Participating in NYN 23’
7 / 8
Golden Jute Product
Savar
Sutarkabbo
Rangpur
Sami's World
Rangpur
Jermatz Limited
Dhaka
Tulika Eco Limited
Dhaka
Karujog
Kushtia
Design by Rubina
Dhaka
Jutemart International
Dhaka
Prokritee
Dhaka
Adorsholipi
Faridpur
Jute Land Bangladesh
Dhaka
Asix
Dhaka
Jutemart & Craft in Bangladesh
Dhaka
The Jute Fibers BD
Savar

8. To learn more about the project, visit the website:
www.lightcastlebd.com