## WCIC Prathibhabhisheka 2025 Celebrates Female Entrepreneurship 📈

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) held its flagship Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) 2025, marking the 40th anniversary of the chamber. The event honored women-led businesses for their resilience and contribution to the Sri Lankan and SAARC economies. • Participation & Reach The 2025 edition received the highest number of applications to date, with representation from all nine provinces of Sri Lanka. Notably, 44% of applicants were under the age of 40, and 31% of the businesses have been operational for over a decade. • Sector & Category Breakdown Awards were categorized by revenue scale to ensure fair competition across the business lifecycle: Startup Micro Small Medium Large • Regional & Economic Impact The awards extended to the SAARC region to foster cross-border entrepreneurship. The evaluation focused on finance, governance, and strategic growth. Chief Guest Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya highlighted that these entrepreneurs contribute significantly to national economic stability despite challenging conditions. • Governance & Standards To maintain transparency, the nine-month evaluation process was endorsed by knowledge partner Ernst & Young (EY). Judges assessed applicants based on business narratives and certified financial data from the 2024/25 period. • Key Supporters Major corporate partners included AIA Sri Lanka (Platinum), DFCC Aloka (Diamond), McLarens Group, and Unilever (Gold), reflecting strong private sector backing for women-led SMEs and large enterprises.