Jakarta, 17 November 2011
The sound of the gong marked the beginning of the four-day ASEAN Women Cooperative and SME Expo at the Jakarta Convention Center. The opening ceremony was celebrated by a resounding choir and a glamorous fashion show which showcased the remarkable traditional costumes of each ASEAN Member States.
With the theme ‘Empowering Women in Innovation and Creativity’, the Expo is expected to boost women entrepreneurship and cooperatives in ASEAN and to serve as a platform for women entrepreneurs to exchange views and establish networks.
“The Expo is meant to raise the potential of women and highlight their strength, wisdom, talent and creativity to run and develop their enterprises,” said H.E Neddy Rafinaldy Halim, Deputy-Minister of Marketing and Business Networking, Indonesia’s Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs. ASEAN greatly recognises the significant contribution of women to the economic growth of the region.
A total of 319 SMEs and cooperatives from the ASEAN Member States participated in the Expo, showcasing the best products ranging from furniture, fashion and accessories. Business fora, talk-shows and seminars will also be convened at the sideline of the Expo to deliberate on various issues including ‘access to finance’, ‘women and entrepreneurship’ and ‘access to the ASEAN market’.
Several cultural shows will also be convened to entertain the crowed of visitors which is expected to flock the exhibition hall until the closing ceremony on the 20 November.
