Vietnam suggests foundation of APEC women entrepreneurs’ network

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC), told press outlets on the fringe of the event that in her speech, she expressed her hope for the foundation of an association or a network of businesswomen in APEC.

The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), a similar organisation initiated by Vietnam, was set up in April 2014. Minh said she is ready to share her experience in the establishment of AWEN.

She noted that an APEC women entrepreneurs’ network should be chaired on a rotational basis since this is a “common playground” and all need to work together. To play an active role, all economies must rotationally hold the chairmanship.

“Only when all 21 economies engage in, will such a network become successful,” she noted.

Ms. Minh said though she has yet to receive any response at official sessions, many delegates told her on the sidelines that it is a good idea of Vietnam because when they participate in a network, they will gain precious information and experiences.

She noted representatives of the Women’s Entrepreneurship in APEC (WE-APEC) initiative said they are ready to help turn this idea into reality.

The feasibility of this idea still depends on the 21 member economies, the VWEC leader added, voicing her belief that people will welcome this idea positively.

Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

They account for 39 percent of the world population, 57 percent of the world GDP and 47 percent of the global trade, according to statistics in 2014.