Women Entrepreneurs To Gather In Penang

This is the press release we prepared for the event...

GEORGE TOWN: Talks on business development, funding, grants and export markets as well as sharing of real success stories of women entrepreneurs are among the highlights of a full day event this Saturday, Oct 8.

The Chicken Rice Shop with some 60 outlets nationwide would have its founder Mrs. Gaik Wong lead a morning sharing session at the “Opportunity for Women Entrepreneurs” event to be held at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel.

An afternoon session is to feature Ken-Rich Chemical Production CEO Hooi Lai Lin, the inaugural recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Women Entrepreneurs 2011. Both women are from the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs Malaysia (NAWEM). 
 
“They are dynamic, award-winning entrepreneurs and active NAWEM members, who are always ready and available to mentor young entrepreneurs and share their experiences with them,” said event organising chairperson Wendy Wong of the Penang Affiliates of NAWEM (PAN).

PAN is organising the “Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs” event in collaboration with government agencies, to help highlight the various business development programmes, grants and funds available in Malaysia, she added.

Other speakers in this programme-packed event include SME Corp Malaysia Penang director Tajul Ariffin Jamaluddin, to update on development programmes for small and medium enterprises. Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) northern director Suresh Kumar would speak on helping entrepreneurs develop and expand their export markets.

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development would have its deputy director-general Che Azizah Che Rashid and its Penang director Yusman Hambali Ahmad giving presentation. Northern branch manager Jais Abu Hassan of Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (under the Ministry of Human Resources) would also be presenting.

The other speakers are Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) Penang director Zabidah Daud; Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) deputy secretary (funding) Suhaimi Hamzah; Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) northern director Sarimah Misman; and RHB Bank assistant vice president (SME commercial business development) Khairil Anwar.

“NAWEM and PAN want to help broadcast the numerous private and public grants and business funding and opportunities available in Malaysia to entrepreneurs, and especially to the women entrepreneurs,” said PAN chairperson Ong Swe Ee.

“We are here to assist women entrepreneurs grow and create business empires. This event is a platform for us to network and share success stories and experiences,” she added.

Business and business-minded women (men too) can join this full day event for RM70 per person to cover buffet lunch and two tea breaks. NAWEM members have contributed door gifts, including restaurant and beauty product vouchers, worth more than RM100 for each attendee.

There are also limited number of display stations available during the event for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services.

Details of the “Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs” event are available at its blog site www.penangwomenentrepreneurs.blogspot.com and NAWEM website www.nawem.org.my, or email nawempan@yahoo.com or call 019-457 9471 (Wendy) or 012-477 0873 (Swe Ee).