A congress was held in Hanoi on October 19 to launch the VietnamAssociation of Women Entrepreneurs (VAWE), with Deputy Minister ofIndustry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa elected as the organisation’s firstPresident.

The VAWE aims to improve thecapacities and roles of businesswomen in sustainable development inVietnam, providing a forum for them to share their experience andenhance their professional knowledge. It also protects the legitimateinterests of female entrepreneurs and members of the workforce.

The association’s key task for its first term from 2014-2019 is tobecome a platform that connects businesswomen in all economic sectorsand inspires them to undertake maximum efforts in their fields of workto contribute to national development.

It willalso serve as a bridge between females in the business community andGovernment agencies, with a view to informing socio-economic developmentpolicies.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated the great contributions made byVietnamese women and female entrepreneurs in particular to the nationalbuilding and development.

The Party and Statecontinuously strives to enhance the female business community whichplays an important role in modernisation and industrialisation, he said.

He expressed his hope that the foundation ofVAWE would help businesswomen improve their capacities and skills tocontribute to socio-economic development and social equality.

The Government official called upon relevant ministries and sectorsto research and develop policies that support both male and femaleentrepreneurs in running their businesses effectively.-VNA