Sarawak Women Entrepreneurs Conference 2012 To Empower Women

By Caroline Jackson KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), April 21 (Bernama) -- The forthcoming Sarawak Women Entrepreneurs Conference 2012 aims to empower women and build their capacity in entrepreneurship, especially in exploring new opportunities in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score). Organised by the Sarawak Women's Bureau of the Welfare, Women and Development Ministry in collaboration with Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (Azam), it is set to be launched by state Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah here next Wednesday. "Participants, comprising around 200 women, who are invited to the event include current and potential entrepreneurs from programmes organised by different sectors and agencies, such as those by the Department of Agriculture, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Dewanita, Entrepreneur Development Unit, Chief Minister's Department, Malaysian Fisheries Development Board, Saranita, Dayak Bidayuh National Association and Sarakup Indu," the co-organisers said in a statement here on Saturday. The statement also stressed the need for women entrepreneurs to be aware of new opportunties in Score, which is estimated to provide various opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially in the modern agricultural, tourism, transportation and service sectors. "Contrary to popular stereotypes of women being homemakers or only being involved in traditional forms of entrepreneurship such as "kek lapis" (layer cake) and handicrafts, there is an increase in the participation of women in new areas, including fashion, filming, entertainment, multimedia and children centres," it said. Besides providing participants with more information about Score, the conference also provides a platform for women entrepreneurs in Sarawak to share their experiences and aspirations, enhance their networking as well as motivate current and future entrepreneurs to venture into new business fields. The conference covers the food industry, agriculture, tourism, handicrafts, fashion and beauty, care centres and filming along with information and computer technologies. An exhibition showcasing a variety of products and services by local women entrepreneurs will be held in conjunction with the conference while a motivational session by Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohamed Fadzil Che Din, the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional deputy vice-chancellor, is expected to ignite their enthusiasm. The conference also hopes to produce recommendations on ways to enhance women's capacity in entrepreneurship to be forwarded to the relevant authorities for consideration. -- BERNAMA