A significant milestone for women.

Countries need solutions to address the financial challenges faced by women – who are key drivers of national economic growth and development.

Ahead of the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, held from February 26 to 29 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala announced a $50 million fund to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries in seizing the immense opportunities offered by the digital economy.

Over the past three years, Ms. Okonjo-Iweala has met with female entrepreneurs from many different countries and continents, each with unique and innovative business ideas, hoping to export products or try to access the global market. However, a common thread among these entrepreneurs is a lack of capital to expand operations and exploit the enormous potential that global trade offers.

According to Ms. Okonjo-Iweala, countries need solutions to address the financial challenges faced by women – who are key drivers of national economic growth and development.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce, Majid al-Kasabi, called the initiative a "significant milestone." Thani al-Zeyoudi, Minister of State for International Trade at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, assessed the initiative as not only honoring the invaluable contributions of female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses worldwide, but also recognizing their crucial role in economic development.

According to al-Zeyoudi, the reality is that women make up about 50% of the world's population, but only contribute 37% of global GDP. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced that the UAE will contribute $10 million to the WTO to support several mechanisms for women entrepreneurs…

The aforementioned $50 million fund aims to unleash the power of the digital economy, helping women entrepreneurs overcome financial barriers and seize untapped opportunities. Furthermore, the fund is expected to generate significant positive economic and social impacts, potentially contributing directly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

HANH CHI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cot-moc-quan-trong-cho-phu-nu-post728268.html