INTERNATIONAL: Summit in Istanbul Aims at More Economic Success for Women Worldwide

The Global Summit of Women 2011 to be held here from May 5-7, will see the congregation of leading figures from various countries to chart the strategies and programmes to ensure further achievements for women in the economic field.

Under this year's theme, "Women: Bridging Solutions to the 21st Century", the summit is expected to provide an avenue for women ministers as well as leaders in the business field to share their experiences, views and the best practices employed in raising the economic standards of women in their respective countries.

Among others, a ministerial level roundtable discussion entitled "Public/Private Sector Partnership: Advancing Economic Opportunities for Women and Girls" will be held during the event where smart partnerships between the private and public sector will be looked into towards increasing economic opportunities for women.

The Malaysian delegation to the event will be led by the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who will have in her team, among others, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and the Deputy Prime Minister's wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Ambassador to Turkey, Datuk Saipul Anuar Abdul Muin, when met here said that the participation of the Malaysian delegation led by Rosmah would bring further momentum to the growing ties between the two countries.

Rosmah who is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event, will also be one of the panel members of the First Lady Forum to be held on Friday, together with Turkish Prime Minister's wife, Emine Erdogan and the First Lady of Namibia Penehupifo Pohamba.

Her invitation is also seen as a significant acknowledgment of Malaysia's effective policies and development programmes for women in the field of economy and entrepreneurship.

On Wednesday, May 4, Rosmah will also do the honour of ringing the opening bell for Istanbul's stock market.

The visit this time will be even more meaningful as it is being participated by women entrepreneurs who would get the opportunity to look at business opportunities as well as network and form links with entrepreneurs from other parts of the world, especially from Turkey, Saipul Anuar said.

"There is a continuous momentum towards strengthening and broadening relations between the two countries. The participation in this summit will add to the synergy."

This is also the first time, Malaysian women entrepreneurs will be having direct contact with Turkish business women, he added.

One a note of inspiration, he pointed out that one of the richest people in Turkey was a woman.

"Although it is a family business, it has been managed by Turkish women," he said.

Among the 60-member Malaysian delegation would be members of Bakti, the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as senior officers from the International Trade and Industry Ministry and SME Corporation.

Leading corporate figures in the summit will include Managing Director of Data Tech Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) Sarojini Rajahser, Executive Chairman of Pricewaterhouse-Coopers Malaysia Datuk Johan Raslan, Vice President of IBM Market Development, USA, Marilyn Johnson, Board Chairman of Intel, Jane Shaw and dan Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone, Turkey, Serpil Timuray.