Govt provides opportunities for active participation of women in business
MELAKA, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said the government has put a lot of efforts to provide opportunities for the active participation and contribution of women to the economy.
She said through the Malaysian small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), women entrepreneurs are assisted to avail themselves of the schemes and support facilities provided by the various ministries and government agencies.
"For example, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), which has financed more than 200,000 women entrepreneurs since its inception in 1987.
"Other microcredit loans include the Rural Economic Entrepreneur or TEKUN Nasional and the Rural Economy Financing Schemes for the years 2006-2010, nearly 40,000 women entrepreneurs have benefited from these two schemes," she said in a keynote address through video conferencing when launching the 1st International Women In Business Convention at the Melaka International Trade Centre, here Tuesday.
The event, an initiative of the Association of Bumiputera Women Entrepreneurs Malaysia (Usahanita), aims to bring and connect together local as well as international entrepreneurs.
Rosmah also believes that the New Economic Model (NEM) introduced by the government in 2010 will open opportunities to women in business and entrepreneurship.
"With our ideas, talent and capital we can support the government's effort to re-energize the private sector and women should take advantage of opportunities in this new economy," she said.
She said that in line with the NEM, Malaysian women should now venture into the service industries and knowlegde-based activities such as communications, education, tourism, green technology and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
"It is my fervent hope to see more Malaysian entrepreneurs having controlling interest in public listed companies and moving into businesses with large growth potential as seen in other countries," she said.
About 350 participants attended the three-day conference themed "Transforming Women's Businesses Through Innovations" to gather new ideas and knowledge to innovate their business endeavors and to explore new business opportunities.
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