The Asian Women Business Network
The Asian Women Business Network was first mooted by co-founders, Irene Boey, President of the Singapore Federation of Business and Professional Women and Andrew Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the MCA ICT Resource Centre in 2008 during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Irene has been involved in women Business & Professional associations and APEC women leaders network as well as APEC digital economy forum for women for more than 5 years and has thorough knowledge of the challenges and aspirations of women entrepreneurs. She was the President of Singapore Business & Professional Women Association and an Exco of the Singapore Council of Women Organisations, and currently the President of Federation of Business and Professional Women (Singapore). While discussing on women issues and challenges brought up during APEC’s 1st Digital Economy Forum for Women in Singapore 2008 which Irene was Organizing Chairwoman and having returned from Taipei as Keynote speaker for their Forum for Women Entreprenueur, Irene was convinced that Asian women entrepreneurs needed better support and connection to improve their current status. Both founders realized that there is a deep void in terms of proactive development and representation of women entrepreneurs in Asia. Hence, the IDEA to create an Asian Network for Women Entrepreneurs was born.
The IDEA came with a mission – to develop and empower women entrepreneurs for global business. Due to her passion on women issues and her involvement in many international women business associations, Irene has acquired a wealth of experience in relation to women issues especially in the area of women businesses. On the other hand, Andrew has been involved in business incubation and SME Development for the last 5 years; and has helped countless of SMEs from business startup to business internationalization. His network of association with international business incubators allows him to create a network of support services for international market access. Internationalization of business is now isa necessity as businesses are open to global competition and trade liberalization. During the course of his work with MIRC, Andrew has helped and mentored many women-based organizations and companies during the course of his work. Both founders felt that it is now time for women businesses to gear themselves up for the global business.
While the intention was noble and timely, however, for an Asian Network of Women Entrepreneurs to work, there must be considerable support from Asian members and value proposition for members to subscribe to this network. Drawing from Irene’s network of Asian colleagues in her business association with various business and professional organizations in the world especially in Asia, the Asia Women Business Network idea received considerable support from various Asian countries such as Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, China and APEC member countries. Working on the value proposition for the Network, both drawing from their experiences as business leaders and business incubation expert, they decided that the newly-created
Asian Women Business Network (AWBN) should focus on empowering women entrepreneurs in the areas of
market access, international market penetration, capability development, networking and business support services.
It was decided then that the launching pad for the Asia Women Business Network (AWBN) will be held in conjunction with the 1st Asia Women Business Power Conference where participants include representatives and organizations from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Laos and other parts of Asia, Europe and USA.
What makes the Asia Women Business Network (AWBN) such a special Women Business Networking Group?
Access: As an AWBN member, you can seek advice from women with diverse business experiences. AWBN also provides opportunities for women to develop their skills and strengthen Network relations through activities participation like the upcoming “First Asia Women Business Power Conference” which will be held on 18 June 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (www.wbx-ap.com)
Education: As an AWBN member, you have plenty of opportunities to learn something new that will help your business grow through our upcoming educational resources.
Support: As an AWBN member, you will become part of an Asian community of dynamic women committed to the success of not only their businesses, but the success of others within the community. The Network community will provide support for women who intend to venture into Asian markets. Members can make use of our soft landing program to accelerate business connection in other countries.
Commitment: As a member, you will find that other members are committed to helping you be successful not only in your business, but successful in the organization.
Networking: As a member, AWBN can help you to improve your sales, learn about new and existing resources and connect with other women in Asia who are sourcing for partnerships, joint ventures and market access.
Our Value Proposition
- Access to the Asia Women Business Portal (www.wbx-ap.com) for:
a) Market Access Program
b) Directory of Women Entrepreneurs
c) Social Networking
d) Market Intelligence
e) Networking
f) Promotion of members’ products and services
- Business Exploration Program
a) Business exploration mission
b) Market access program
c) Market intelligence
- Training program for women entrepreneurs
a) Soft-skills training
b) Internet marketing
c) Featured speaker program
d) Seminars and conferences
- Soft landing program
a) Network of offices and facilities for women businesses interested to establish business in member countries
b) Business support and market networking facilitation
- Networking Activities
a) Yearly Asia Conference
b) Annual Women Business Directory
c) Annual Dinner and Awards Night
d) Annual Charity Events