EMPOWERING WOMEN: Fatimah (right) looks at a book presented to her as a memento together with Norjanah and Dris.
KUCHING: Over 200 participants attended the ‘Sarawak Women Entrepreneur Conference 2012’ yesterday.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the good response was proof that the state’s women entrepreneurs have the drive to pursue business ventures.
“What they need is just some guidance and support from related agencies to get them up on their feet. I am happy to see that there are more participants than the numbers who were initially invited.
“This is a positive sign that our female entrepreneurs are here and they are willing to learn more,” she said.
Among those who attended the launching were Women’s Bureau director Norjanah Razali and Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) chief executive officer Datuk Aloysius Dris.
The one-day event also saw the launching of the Sarawak Women Economic Empowerment Programme (PPEW).
Norjanah explained that PPEW is a programme to educate and guide women who have been identified as potential successful entrepreneurs.
“We are confident that if you develop women, you will develop a family. For this year, we are focusing on single mothers and women who are new to entrepreneurship,” she said.
The conference was
organised by the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development in collaboration with Azam.
A statement from Azam said the conference aimed to empower women and build their capacity in entrepreneurship.
“The convention also provides a platform for women entrepreneurs in Sarawak to share their experiences and aspirations, as well as to motivate current and future entrepreneurs to venture into new business fields,” said the statement.
There was also an exhibition to showcase products and services by local women entrepreneurs.