Women entrepreneurs empowered via ASEAN-Japan Linkage Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) – The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) recently organised the 3rd ASEAN-Japan Women Entrepreneurs’ Linkage Program (AJWELP), co-hosted by SME Corporation Malaysia here.

The governments of the ASEAN Member States and Japan are committed to promote development of micro, small and medium enterprises, including women entrepreneurs’ empowerment to enhance more gender equality societies.

To boost the effort, AJC launched AJWELP, a support programme for women entrepreneur start-ups in ASEAN Member States to forge linkages among start-ups, companies and mentors.

AJWELP was first held in Manila, the Philippines in 2016, followed by Jakarta, Indonesia in 2017.

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail delivered a keynote address, sharing facts of women-owned SMEs in Malaysia and how the Malaysian Government supported them.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, said the programme would have greater success in empowering women within the ASEAN region as it was already in its third consecutive year of implementation.

The programme highlighted a business presentation where start-ups from the 10 ASEAN Member States presented their businesses and challenges. Representatives of companies and mentors, who are also senior entrepreneurs attended the presentation.

After the event, company representatives decided which start-ups they would support, in line with company businesses.

The co-founder of Kloth Malaysia, Nik Suzila Nik Hassan is the finalist for Malaysia. Kloth Malaysia is a textile recycling company.

Meanwhile, Hernan Corporation Sdn Bhd Group Chief Executive Officer, Anna Teo is the Malaysian mentor in the programme.

AJC is an inter-governmental organisation, established by the ASEAN Member States and Japan in 1981. It has been promoting exports from ASEAN to Japan while revitalising investment, tourism as well as people-to-people exchanges.

-- BERNAMA