Two lucky female entrepreneurs have won places on the first-ever women's trade mission to India. The competition was run by the Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West, to encourage women business owners to consider international trade as a way of growing their businesses.

Manchester based Judith Shaw, owner of photographers Get In The Picture and Blackburn based Razia Anwar, owner of The Treatment Room Ltd, secured places thanks to their passionate and innovative entries. The mission to New Delhi, which has been organised by UK Trade & Investment, sets out to India on the 15th November and runs until the 20th November, coinciding with the International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference and the Prestigious India International Trade Fair.

Marilyn Comrie, board member on the EMBF NW comments; India is the UKs fifteenth largest export market, not to mention one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The volume of bilateral trade in goods between India and the UK was £4.5 billion in 2004 and there are fantastic opportunities for UK companies in a variety of sectors from construction to creative and media.

We felt that the competition offered a fantastic once in a life time opportunity for ethnic minority female entrepreneurs from the north west to explore international trade opportunities, while also taking the opportunity to network with hundreds of like-minded business women from all over the world.

Sandra Brusby Chief Executive Business Link Cheshire and Warrington, who will be leading the mission gives comment:

I am delighted to be taking businesses from across the North West out to India. The Indian market offers so many opportunities to UK businesses and in the North West there are so many excellent firms who can benefit from this major emerging market. We find that with a little help and support these businesses soon adapt to the international market and are both innovative and rapid in their approach to new market opportunities. We ignore India to our peril.

Organised by the influential Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India, the International Women Entrepreneurs Meet and Conference is a truly international event that will be attended by female entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe. Showcasing technologies and products and services offered by international and Indian delegates, the event provides an unparalleled networking opportunity to enhance trade and build alliance.

Judith Shaw of Get In The Picture said, I was completely shocked when I found out that my entry had been successful. My business is something that I have always been extremely passionate about and against all of the odds I have been determined to succeed. I am so grateful to the EMBF NW for this opportunity and I have no doubt that this trade mission will give me the knowledge and contacts I need to really develop my business in a way that will enhance and benefit the local ethnic minority community.

Razia Anwar of The Treatment Room Ltd said; My business is in the early stages of expanding into an entirely new market. We are currently specialists in beauty and laser treatments and are looking to set up a new business offering upmarket, fashionable Asian bridal and designer wear. There is a severe shortage of retailers offering such products and members of the local ethnic minority communities are having to travel as far as London for even the most basic bridal outfits.

This trade mission will give me the perfect opportunity to build relationships with reputable wholesalers and suppliers in India, giving me the contacts I need to really get my new business venture off the ground.