30 receive certificates for WE Business Mentorship Programme
MIRI: Some 30 women entrepreneurs here received certificates for completing a sixmonth nationwide virtual Wanita Empowered (WE) Business Mentorship Programme at Dynasty Hotel yesterday.
The mentoring and capacity building programme to equip women entrepreneurs with skills and resources to further develop business and personally started Nov 18, 2020 until April 2021.
The programme was part of the U.S. Embassy’s larger Wanita Empowered (WE) campaign to promote equal opportunity, support growth and strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Malaysia.
Minister of Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin who presented the certificates said the programme has helped and guided women entrepreneurs on business strategies in this digital era.
“In this digital era, online Ebusiness is growing exponentially and many business women can secure good living in gig economy and online business with their natural ability, expertise and skills in food production, creative products, fashion, arts, crafts and others.
“This WE business mentorship programme is indeed timely during the pandemic to equip and strengthen our business women with the relevant skills and resources to develop E-business to reach the global market.
“I am certain the mentees have benefited from the nine online workshops, bi-monthly mentoring sessions, peer sharing sessions and the opportunity to pitch their businesses to potential financiers, investors and customers,” said Lee.
He thanked the US Embassy for initiating and sponsoring the programme which was put together by Sabah Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals Association (SWEPA) in collaboration with Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Association Sarawak (WEPS) and Penang Women’s Chambers of Commerce (PWCC)
Lee hoped that such collaboration will continue to strengthen bilateral ties and that this first batch of business women from Sarawak, Sabah and Penang who benefited from the programme would share their knowledge and skills to empower other business women to help economic recovery post-pandemic while securing better future for their families.
He added that the government will come up with more incentives to strengthen and empower business women through special micro-credit financing and training programmes in marketing, packaging, branding and business technical guidance.
Also present at the certificate presentation was WEPS president Serawa Budol.