:Delegates at the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs forum 2015. — Photo enternews.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — More than 350 women entrepreneurs from 10 ASEAN member countries participated in a conference titled Fostering Women Entrepreneurs in Advancing the AEC Development in Ha Noi on March 4.

As part of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneur Network's (AWEN) activities, the forum included discussions on the potential for women's economic participation, the pressures they face and business support solutions that will enable them to further develop their wisdom and talents to contribute to economic development in their respective countries and throughout the ASEAN region.

In her opening remarks, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan hailed the practical significance of this event, saying that it partly shows Viet Nam's contribution to the development of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

"ASEAN women entrepreneurs, including Vietnamese women entrepreneurs, need to focus on competitiveness enhancement, co-operation and linkages with other businesses in order to develop their own potential and strengths for deeper integration," Doan said

She said women entrepreneurs play an important role in the process of policy review and consultation of ASEAN governments, helping the association promote integration and creativity and affirm its prestige in the international arena.

ASEAN's Secretary General Le Luong Minh said that the coherence of the ASEAN entrepreneur community, especially women entrepreneurs, would create more motivation for the development of the AEC as well as help enterprises in the region share interests and seek business opportunities in the context of international economic integration.

"However, each entrepreneur needs to be more proactive in addressing the problems and difficulties existing in production and business, as well as further increase the application of science and technology and actively participate in improving the environment," Minh said.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc said many women-run businesses have overcome difficulties and made notable achievements in recent years.

Loc said the ASEAN community's growth model is gradually shifting towards in-depth development, which would create a favourable environment for women entrepreneurs to develop and affirm their positions in the region.

At the event - organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Viet Nam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC) - attendees shared lessons and experiences pertaining to the economic empowerment of women. Many co-operation opportunities were also discussed.

AWEN was created in April 2014 with the target of supporting businesswomen with start-ups and developing their businesses, especially to elevate the role of women in society. — VNS